Mum dies after falling into 90ft gorge with son, 5, who is dramatically rescued
A five-year-old boy had to be rescued when his mum died after the pair fell 90ft into Niagara Gorge.
Emergency services were called to Niagara Falls State Park, New York state, US, on Tuesday after mum Angela Berti was left in a critical state following their fall.
Crews performed emergency CPR but she was pronounced dead at the scene with her body flown from the bottom of the gorge via helicopter to the coroner's office.
The child suffered a head injury after the fall and was quickly loaded onto a stretcher where he was met by an emergency helicopter who took him to hospital.
He was admitted to Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo but his condition is unclear.
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Chris Rola, State Parks Police Captain, said at a press conference on Tuesday: "Our rescuers, along with Niagara Falls Fire Department, were able to reach pretty quickly both of the victims.
The five-year-old boy was rescued and found with head injuries (WGRZ)"Unfortunately, the female did not make it. The investigation is ongoing, but we don’t believe it is an accident."
He confirmed the mum and son had been at the park with her husband before the fall.
However, authorities are unsure what may have caused the 90ft fall with the husband and other witnesses being interviewed by police.
The pair landed 90ft onto ice which had formed near the bottom of the Gorge, according to Mr Rola.
The boy was airlifted to hospital with his condition unknown (WGRZ)Niagara Falls firefighters had to bravely walk across the ice to reach the mum and son.
The Park Captain added: "Although today it’s nice out, it’s very icy down there.
"It’s real tough terrain that our guy and our girls were able to get through and get to them and provide that life-saving care and do everything they could.
"We were going to make every effort for that child that was still alive at the time."
The tragic incident happened at Niagara Falls State Park (WGRZ)The area surrounding the Cave of the Winds, which is a popular tourist attraction, was cordoned off by police during the emergency rescue.
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Mr Rola said: "Niagara Falls is a tough place to perform rescues.
“[State Park Police] have swift water rescue team we have high angle rope rescue guys that train all the time.
"Niagara Falls fire is great, and as you can see, the state police are a great partner with us and their aviation crews top notch.”
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