|
|
 |
| (IDNR) |
Posted: Saturday, 27 June 2009 8:14AM
Naperville man survives fall off cliff
|
NAPERVILLE (STNG) -- A young Naperville man is reportedly home this weekend after surviving a 25-foot fall from a cliff in Starved Rock State Park, following an alleged night of drinking with two friends.
A nursing supervisor at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria confirmed Friday that Jared M. Gaumer, 18, had been discharged from the hospital. He had been flown there by helicopter following the accident.
Sgt. Robert Frazier, a district supervisor with the Illinois Conservation Police, said Gaumer fell 25 feet off Eagle Cliff in the state park near Oglesby, about 65 miles southwest of Naperville.
Gaumer had gone to Starved Rock with friends Joseph W. Jene, 18, and Daniel A. Mangas, 17, both of Naperville.
Frazier said the men apparently arrived at Starved Rock sometime between 4 and 5 a.m. Tuesday, and went hiking on its trails before the park had opened to the public for the day. "They ventured up on Eagle Cliff, climbing over fences and getting into the restricted areas," Frazier said late Friday afternoon.
Gaumer fell from the cliff directly above a lock and dam on the Vermillion River, Frazier said. "Thank goodness he didn't get into the water, because he probably would've drowned," Frazier said.
Frazier estimated Gaumer fell 25 feet before sliding under a ledge. He then slid another 15 to 20 feet toward the bottom before coming to a stop, Frazier said.
Jene and Mangas called police and paramedics to the scene. Gaumer was taken first to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru and then airlifted to St. Francis Medical Center.
The severity of Gaumer's injuries could not be learned, although he was reportedly discharged Wednesday from the hospital. Mangas and Jene were not hurt in the incident.
Frazier said police arrested Jene and charged him with driving under the influence, unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor, illegal transportation of alcohol, unlawful entry into a restricted area of a state park and unlawful entry onto trails when closed.
Mangas was arrested on the same charges and was also cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Frazier said. Mangas and Jene were later released on bail from the LaSalle County Jail, he said.
Frazier added charges against Gaumer are pending.
|
Copyright 2009 STNG Wire, The Chicago Sun-Times. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
|
|
|
E-Mail Story
Print Story
