39 YEAR OLD NEW JERSEY MAN DIES FOLLOWING FALL FROM CLIFF BY SAND BEACH - ACADIA, 2005

Deaths In Acadia National Park

October 3, 2005

The Ellsworth American newspaper reported on a death which occurred in Acadia national park, but for some unknown reason the victim was never identified in the story.  A visitor and a friend were out taking a walk along the path by the Park Loop Road near Sand Beach, when they decided to venture off of the official path, and wandered near the cliffs overlooking Sand Beach.  The victim is said to have jumped onto rocks near the edge of the cliff and lost his balance, and attempted to cling to the cliff but soon lost his hold and plummeted some 60 feet to the boulders below. 
The man was said to be 39 years old and from Tom's River, New Jersey and had been out walking with a female friend.  The victim was in a very bad location which made the rescue effort even more difficult.  As in most tragic falls that take place within the park, Life Flight was called and a helecopter on its way.  Meantime rescue workers lowered ropes down the cliff and started first aid, during the rescue effort a rock slide occurred, falling rocks damageing oxygen bottles and ropes as well as other rescue equipment.  At this point it was decided it would be best to do a rescue by sea and a 25 foot Coast Guard boat was brought in.   Medical personnel also climbed aboard and the boat then raced to the Bar Harbor Municipal Pier where it was met by LifeFlight personnel and Bar Harbor Ambulance personnel. Efforts to resuscitate the victim continued at the town pier for 20 minutes. He was taken to the Mount Desert Island Hospital by ambulance and declared dead a short time later.