Man Rescued After He Falls Over Hillside At McConnells Mill

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LAWRENCE COUNTY, Pa. (KDKA) – A man was rescued after he fell over a hillside at McConnells Mill State Park on Tuesday evening.

Rescuers say he fell more than 15 feet and they had a hard time getting him up the hill.

A hiker was airlifted by medical helicopter to the hospital after he fell over a steep hillside at McConnells Mill State Park in Lawrence County. Rescuers had to use ropes and a stokes basket to lift the man to safety.

It happened in the area of Kildoo Falls, near the Kildoo Bridge. The man was reportedly with another hiker, but ventured ahead and tumbled over the rocky ledge.

"We looked the area over and looked for the best access to get down to the hiker, gathering our equipment up to take it down to him," Chief Jack Hitchen, the fire chief in Scott Township, told KDKA. "We had one medical personnel down there. At that time, we decided the gentleman needed flown."

As spring approaches and officials get ready for an influx of visitors, they have a safety warning for everyone.

"It's a beautiful park" said Lt. Bill Lunn of the Slippery Rock Township Fire Department."But it's a dangerous park, and the best advice I can give to people (is) read the signs and respect them."