GOWANDA, N.Y. — A family hike around a New York state gorge turned deadly when a mother and father fell off a cliff and were killed and their 4-year-old son was seriously hurt, authorities said.
The bodies of Amanda Green, 35, and William Green, 33, both of Buffalo, were discovered Sunday along with their injured son, Alexander, in the Zoar Valley Gorge, authorities said.
Rescue crews also found sneakers and footprints that were too large for the 4-year-old and began a search. Eventually they found the couple’s 7-year-old son, Jacob, walking nearby, officials said.
The 4-year-old was airlifted to a Buffalo hospital, where he was listed in guarded condition Monday with internal injuries, fractures and a head injury, Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard said.
His brother was taken to the same hospital for a broken right arm and ankle. He was listed in good condition, the sheriff said.
Authorities believe that the two parents and the younger child fell about 200 feet down a steep cliff, but they are not sure what caused the fall. Police continue to investigate.
Hikers came upon the adults’ bodies, Howard said. The injured 4-year-old was nearby, he said.
“The first two hikers who found the bodies did not have a cellphone,” Howard said. “They flagged down a third hiker who made the call.”