PICKENS COUNTY — The investigation into the death of 16-year old Olivia Grimes at Carolina Point — Young Life Camp has officially been taken over by the state of South Carolina.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office became involved in the investigation on July 13 when officers responded to Carolina Point — Young Life Camp after a camper — Grimes — fell between 100 and 120 feet from a pendulum swing called the Freebird at the camp.
Grimes was pronounced dead at the scene. Based on PCSO’s investigation in conjunction with state authorities, no foul play was involved and there was no evidence of mechanical or structural failure.
As a result the investigation will now fall to the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
“This has been a learning experience for us too. The S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation, which is a cabinet level division of the governor’s office, will be completing the investigation from this point forward,” said PCSO Chief Deputy Creed Hashe. “There is an office or sub-net group within LLR which is responsible for elevators and amusement parks and fair-type venues and the camp falls within the scope of an amusement park.”
Investigators and inspectors from LLR visited the location July 15, and according to Hashe, determined the apparatus qualified as a mechanical device, falling under their purview.
Also contributing to the status of the pendulum swing in question, LLR has jurisdiction since a fee is paid by campers to attend and the ride was of a mechanical nature.
“The way the ride works is a platform is used to allow riders to access the saddle type seats on the swing and have a harness attached before being winched up and released,” Hashe said. “In this case, the harness was never attached to the device and the seats are not designed as a lifesaving safety feature but for comfort.”
According to Hashe there were two staff members assigned to the station at the camp to assure the right size harnesses are used and riders attached to the ride itself by use of carabiners, similar to those used by climbers. A notice released by PCSO indicated there was no evidence Grimes contributed to her own death.
At this point a portion of the stations at the camp have been shut down until LLR completes its safety inspections and produces safety plans.
“At this point all the zip lines, the “Freebird,” and another called the Pole Jumper have been shut down until LLR goes through the permitting process and does a complete review of all the rides,” Hashe said. “But these are located on the South Carolina side of the camp. A portion is located in North Carolina and the falls under another jurisdiction.”
Located on Sassafrass Mountain, Carolina Point — Young Life Camp sits on 350 acres that falls on the the border of South Carolina and North Carolina.
Efforts to reach LLR for comment were unsuccessful.