Rescuers rush to save man after 50-foot plunge into narrow crevice, NY officials say

A 54-year-old New York City man sustained a severe injury after falling deep into a crevice in upstate New York, officials said.

Shortly after 2 p.m. on Oct. 22, police were alerted to a man who fell about 50 feet into a crevice in Minnewaska State Park, about 90 miles north of New York City, according to an Oct. 25 news release from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation. The incident occurred near Gertrude’s Nose, a rocky trail known for its crags and crevices.

The man, whose name has not been released, sustained a serious head injury and was drifting “in and out of consciousness,” according to officials.

Forest Rangers assisted police in hoisting the man out of the hole with a “high-angle rope rescue,” according to the release.

After being pulled out, the man was loaded into an aviation litter and lifted into a helicopter, according to the release. He was airlifted to a hospital.

Officials have not released updates on the man’s condition, and the Department of Environmental Conservation did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Oct. 27.

Other rescues have been performed in the area in recent years. Rescuers retrieved a dog that was stuck in a crevice near Gertrude’s Nose in October 2021, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. The dog spent five days in the park before being rescued.

The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation recommends hiking in groups and carrying first aid supplies. If injured while hiking, the department advises calling 911 and wearing something bright colored, if possible, so that rescuers will have an easier time spotting you.

This story was originally published October 27, 2022 at 11:39 AM with the headline "Rescuers rush to save man after 50-foot plunge into narrow crevice, NY officials say."