COLD SPRING – The danger of free climbing in the Hudson Highlands State Park in Cold Spring was never more evident Thursday evening when a Dutchess County man slipped, lost his footing and plummeting 100 feet to his death.
New York State Parks Police identified the victim as Kenneth Steier, 25, of Poughkeepsie.
Parks Police Public Information Officer Randy Simons said Steier and two friends were hiking along the Washburn Trail around 6 p.m. and decided to leave the pathway and began free climbing at the quarry. “Mr. Steier suddenly slipped and fell onto rocks at the base of the quarry. Despite rescue efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene,” said Simons.
Putnam County EMS Coordinator Ralph Falloon said that a massive rescue effort took place. After learning about the tragedy, Cold Spring and North Highlands Fire Department personnel rushed to the scene along with the Philipstown Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Responders were assisted by a paramedic from the EM STAR Company, State Police, Putnam Sheriff’s Office personnel and State Park Police. A medivac helicopter was also summoned which arrived a short time later. The chopper and its crew remained until the victim was removed.
With the summer recreational season here, authorities have cautioned the public to refrain from climbing mountainous terrain without proper gear or if inexperienced.
Each year, dozens of people are rescued by emergency responders from mountaintops in the greater Philipstown area and at many other Hudson Valley and Catskill sites as the result of injury or inexperience.
