Community Corner
Off-Duty Forest Ranger Rescues Man Injured Jumping Off 50-Foot Cliff Into Lake
The forest ranger was enjoying a day on the lake with family when he heard a cry for help coming from the popular cliff-jumping area.
TOWN OF LEWISBORO, NY — An off-duty forest ranger was at the right place at the right time to help rescue a seriously injured park visitor.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says that Forest Ranger Lieutenant Gullen was off-duty and spending the day at a lake with family on August 30, around 5 p.m., when he heard someone calling for help from a popular cliff-jumping area.
A 42-year-old had jumped from approximately 50 feet and suffered a back injury entering the water.
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Lt. Gullen jumped off his boat and swam to the injured man. After performing a spine assessment, Gullen determined it was a high-risk injury, and borrowed a paddleboard from a nearby group to stabilize the injured man in a spine-safe position.
The forest ranger then swam the injured man approximately 150 yards to the nearest residence where EMS was waiting. The man was then taken to a hospital for a successful surgery, according to the NYS DEC.
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