Officials ID Woman Who Died From Fall At McConnells Mill State Park
PORTERSVILLE, Pa. (KDKA) - A woman is dead after she fell from a ledge in Lawrence County.
Police say she was trying to retrieve a camera from a rock ledge in McConnells Mill State Park.
The flutter of fall leaves draws many to McConnells Mill.
"Especially with all the different seasons and different light conditions, morning, afternoon - it's really beautiful here," said visitor Carl Smith.
On Breakneck Bridge, the only thing disturbing the peace is the murmur of Cheesman's Run beneath, but the park can be dangerous as the signs clearly say.
"I think a lot of folks underestimate Mother Nature, especially at McConnells Mill," said Smith.
Cheryl Goebel, 58, and her husband drove up from Cranberry Township on Wednesday evening. They were snapping photos from the bridge when Cheryl dropped her camera over the side.
It was about 7 p.m. The ledge is muddy and moss covered.
"Went to retrieve the camera, she climbed to a ledge under the bridge," said Byran Moore, the park ranger supervisor. "And slipped off that ledge and fell approximately 20 feet."
Cell phone service is patchy. Her husband flagged down hikers.
"Asked them to go to the top of the hill," said Moore. "They ran and made a cell phone call."
A rescue team and paramedics got there, but there was nothing to be done.
"The Lawrence County coroner did pronounce her dead at the scene," Moore said.
The Breakneck Bridge trail is one of the more rugged; there have been other numerous accidents.
"We ask the visiting public to stay on designated trails, things like this occur when folks don't stay on the trails," Moore added.
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