A South °®¶¹app School of Mines & Technology student was found dead Wednesday morning at a popular swimming spot near Rockerville, according to authorities.
The body of 23-year-old Benjamin Authier was found in the water at Hippie Hole around 10 a.m. by the Rapid City/Pennington County Water Rescue Team.
The suspected cause of death is drowning, according to the Pennington Country Sheriff's Office.Ā
Pennington County Sheriff's office has started a death investigation after the water rescue team located a body at the popular swimming spot Hippie Hole.Ā
Authier last spoke with his parents around noon Monday, saidĀ Tony Harrison, patrol division captain for the sheriff's office. He was reported missing around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Authorities determined that Authier was headed to Hippie Hole, and deputies began searching the area. His car was found in a parking spot commonly used by visitors, located about a mile from the swimming spot. Deputies continued to look forĀ Authier, but the search was called off between 11 p.m. and midnight because it was too dark, Harrison said.Ā
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The search resumed Wednesday morning between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., andĀ Authier's body was found in Hippie Hole around 10 a.m. Harrison said it appearsĀ Authier was by himself and went to the area to swim or snorkel.Ā
There were no signs of foul play, but the sheriff's office is still investigating, Harrison said.Ā
Ann Brentling, director of marketing and communications at Mines, confirmed that Authier was a chemical engineering major at the school. She declined to offer further information, citing respect for Authierās family.
Hippie Hole is on Battle Creek between Rockerville and Keystone. The main swimming area features a waterfall that plunges into a pool of water. Swimmers often jump from cliffs surrounding the pool.
The trail to Hippie Hole from the parking area is about a mile long and cuts through a steep canyon, making it difficult to get in or out quickly in an emergency.Ā
Several people have been injured while cliff-jumping there in recent years. Earlier this summer, on July 6, a teenager lostĀ consciousness for about 15 minutesĀ after jumping off a cliff at Hippie Hole and hitting the water. A group of friends pulled him out of the water, and he was able to walk to an ambulance by himself. He was taken toĀ Rapid City Regional Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.
In June 2015, a 21-year-old man suffered serious leg and foot injuries after he jumped off a cliff at Hippie Hole but failed to clear the rocks below. The man was airlifted to Regional hospital.
