Rescuers photograph boy, 4, reunited with parents after miraculous survival from 70ft fall
Youngster received just scratches and bruises in terrifying incident
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A four-year-old boy survived a terrifying 70ft fall from a cliff while hiking with his parents in Kentucky in an incident rescuers have described as “nothing short of a miracle”.
The youngster slipped and tumbled from the cliff near Princess Arch at the Red River Gorge as his horrified parents watched on, according to officials.
Rescuers say the boy, who has not been named, was amazingly left with just scrapes and bruises after hitting a series of ledges on his way to the bottom of the cliff.
Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team posted pictures on social media of the youngster being reunited with his relieved mother and father.
“Incredibly, while the child was certainly scraped up and bruised, he appeared to be otherwise okay. He was very talkative, and very interested in super heroes,” the Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team said on its Facebook page.
“The only super hero present was him.”
Officials say that they boy’s father had scrambled down the cliff to reach his son and rescuers met up with him as he carried the boy out to Highway 715, after crossing the Red River.
The boy was examined at the scene by first responders, given a clean bill of health and reunited with his family.
In pictures released by the rescue service, the youngster is seen being given a big hug by his family.
“Obviously going through your head, kind of goes the worst case scenario in that. Being on a number of missions in that area and generally speaking, they can be pretty rough,” said Drew Stevens, Public Information Officer for Wolfe County Search and Rescue.
“Cliffs in that area are not very short. Typically, you’re looking at like between 60 to 70 foot cliff kind of on that ridge.”
The sandstone arches and towering cliffs of the Red River Gorge, southeast of Lexington, Kentucky, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
In May, a University of Kentucky student out on a hike was found dead at the bottom of a 150-ft cliff in the same area.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments