Young Man Ticketed After 60 Foot Fall in Letchworth Gorge

MOUNT MORRIS — A daring rope rescue early Sunday evening resulted in a young man’s safe return home after falling 60 feet near Hogs Back Overlook in Letchworth State Park, and a ticket from the State Park Police.

According to a press release from Randy Simmons and Dan Keefe with New York State Park Police, Tim Mazurczak, 22, of Cheektowaga, NY, was hiking when he stepped too close to the edge of the trail, and fell into the gorge.

At about 4:50 PM Sunday, Mazurczak’s female hiking companion called 911 saying he had fallen, and guided first responders to the scene.

It took more than two hours for more than two dozen rescuers with State Park Police, State Police, Livingston County ALS, and Cuylerville, Leicester, and Mount Morris Fire Departments to rig ropes, lights, and pulleys, rappel down into the gorge, and haul Mazurczak back to safety.

Though his hoodie, jeans and sneakers were soaked and muddy, he suffered no serious injuries.

Mazurczak was issued a ticket by Park Police for Failure to Use Designated Trails.

Check out news partner 13WHAM’s story on the rescue here.

PHOTO CAPTION: Top – Mazurczak being checked for injuries in a Cuylerville ambulance. Bottom – Rescuers rig ropes and pulleys to pull Mazurczak back to safety. Photos by Conrad Baker.