QUECHEE – A teenager sitting on a cliff along the side of the Quechee Gorge late Friday morning touched off a large-scale rescue effort through no fault of his own, but the situation quickly came under control once authorities were finally able to get his attention to ask if he was okay.
“There was a young man who was sitting on a ledge with his headphones on listening to music when some folks tried yelling to him,” recalled Hartford Police Major Brad Vail.
Hartford firefighters and an ambulance crew responded, as well as Norwich, Lebanon and Hanover fire departments. Major Vail said that as soon as the would-be rescuers were able to get the youth’s attention, it became apparent he was just enjoying the solitude near the edge of the Gorge and was not in any distress.
This year four people have jumped to their deaths at the Gorge and police have dealt with several other credible threats to do so.
Read the full story in our upcoming Aug. 2, 2018, print or e-edition.