Salem youth dies after Beaver Creek cliff fall
By DAVID M. GRIMESCALCUTTA - A 17-year old Salem youth died after he fell nearly 100 feet down a cliff in Beaver Creek State Park Tuesday afternoon.
Dustin Huffman, a Salem High School senior, lost his footing along a cliff in the Gretchen's Lock area of the park, J.W. Thompson, Ohio State Highway trooper said, adding Huffman was retrieving a machete that he and a friend left on the hillside while on break from cutting branches along Sprucevale Road for A-1Tree Services Inc.
This was the second summer season Huffman worked at the tree trimming company.
"We're currently investigating a fatal fall that occurred at Beaver Creek State Park in an area known as Gretchen's Lock," Thompson said at the Lisbon command post. "Two 17-year old Salem youths were employed with tree service. On one of their breaks they went exploring (and) one gentleman lost his footing and fell approximately 80 to 100 feet and sustained fatal injuries."
The exact cause of death has not been determined as the coroner is currently investigating the incident.
The youth was transported to Salem Community Hospital.
The rough and isolated terrain where Huffman fell caused emergency personnel from Calcutta, Glenmoor, Liverpool Township and Chester to rush to the scene to attempt to scale the hillside and cross Little Beaver Creek. State park officials and troopers from the highway patrol also assisted at the location.
According to Thompson, Tyler Smith, co-worker, found an alternate route to Huffman after he fell and attempted first aid. He then scaled back up the hillside, contacted the supervisor that was cutting branches at the time and they called 911.
St. Clair Township police received the call and they sent officers along with the Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department. The call automatically triggered mutual aid and Liverpool Township and Glenmoor volunteer firefighters assisted in the rescue efforts, Mike Bahen, Liverpool fire chief said.
Rescue workers were stationed alongside Sprucevale Road, just pass the Sprucevale Court area near the horseman's trail. Other crews went into the Gretchen's Lock parking lot to cross the creek from below the cliff.
Glenmoor Fire Department helped secure a location for an airlift helicopter nearby.
Due to the deep waters, Chester Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to bring extra boats. A vessel from Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department was used, though, during the retrieval process.
The boat helped transport rescue officials, the coroner, tools and eventually the body across the creek.
"It was such a remote area that they utilized boats to make our way back across the portion of the creek," Thompson said.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., emergency personnel responded to the initial call at the park. After rescue workers reached the body on the hillside, some 150 feet up from the creek, police and fire officials worked to secure the area until the coroner arrived.
Within the hour, the coroner arrived, assessed the scene and by 3:40 p.m., he was assisted by state troopers on travelling across the creek by boat. The boaters followed a tow line that was guided on each side by volunteer firefighters.
After about 20 minutes, the troopers and coroner scaled back down the hillside with rescue personnel carrying the body on a spine board not far behind. North Star Critical Care transported the body to the community hospital.
By Tuesday evening Thompson said he was reviewing and working on the reports and had spoken with the Huffman family earlier at the hospital.
"They were just being 17-year old boys," he said. "It's just a shame."
Huffman was a member of the Salem track team that recently finished first in the 800 meter relay during Division II state competition. A consistent athlete with the Quakers, head coach Todd Huda reflects on Huffman for being far more than just a talented runner.
"He was a great kid," Huda said. "I just enjoyed being around him. He was a pleasure to be around, not only as an athlete, but was a good, all-around person. I feel bad for his family; this is a tough situation for anyone to have to go through. Being 17, it was just too soon."
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bubby77
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07-01-09 10:24 AM
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Condolences to the Huffman family
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