Amazing Rescue in Greene County to Save a Boy’s Life
Published: July 30, 2007
A dramatic rescue, after a 12-year-old boy takes a fierce fall while hiking with his family.
A rescue chopper assisted crews in hoisting the injured boy from the Kaaterskill Falls, after he went tumbling down a cliff Sunday afternoon. He was airlifted by MedFlight to Albany Medical Center, where we are told the boy remains in serious condition Monday.
NEWS10’s Demetra Ganias has more on how the rescue unfolded.
It was an amazing scene in Greene County, as a helicopter lifted the 12-year-old out of the Kaaterskill Falls in a basket. The Department of Environmental Conservation tells us the boy fell at least 60-feet, then rolled and tumbled on the rocky bottom.
“There was a family of five hiking the Kaaterskill Falls trail, from Route 23A to the falls, which is about a half-a-mile in length,” says Lieutenant Darryl Kittle, a DEC forest ranger.
The Kaaterskill Falls are located in the Town of Hunter, which is about 50-miles south of Albany - just east of Tannersville. The rocky cliffs are in a forest preserve owned by the state, and that is why DEC officials led this rescue. But there were about half-a-dozen agencies on the narrow, winding road below, including fire, police, and the State Police.
First, the chopper dropped the basket so crews could stabilize the boy. It then returned to slowly and carefully hoist him into the helicopter. The boy was then airlifted Albany Med. There was no immediate word on his injuries or whether he survived - but as of Monday afternoon, we are told he is in serious condition.
Meanwhile, the DEC is pleading with hikers to be careful on what clearly can be dangerous terrain.
“Stay on the trails and stay within your ability, and try not to approach any steep areas,” Lt. Kittle says.
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