Local college student who fell 80 feet from cliff survived with only minor injuries

LAWRENCE CO., Pa. — A local college student fell more than 80 feet from a cliff at a state park and survived.

Jocie Van Kirk, 21 – a student at Slippery Rock University – fell off the cliff at McConnells Mill State Park Sunday around 3 p.m.

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Van Kirk was hiking with friends when she slipped on a rock and leaves. She slid down the embankment, off the cliff and tumbled down – eventually coming to a stop in the creek.

“That’s when I felt it -- all the pain just jolt through,” she said. “It just happened so fast, and it just went on for so long.”

She had to be pulled up in a rescue basket and was flown to a hospital. She has fractures in her neck, back and pelvis.

Doctors said Van Kirk’s injuries are minor, and they expect to release her as early as Wednesday.

Woman falls 80 feet from cliff, gets flown to hospital Woman falls 80 feet from cliff, gets flown to hospital

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