Selfie Death in Minnewaska State Park (Gunks)

https://petapixel.com/2024/01/02/tourist-falls-to-death-off-cliff-while-taking-selfies-in-new-york-state-park

Stopped when I got to "near the city of Rochester".  Saying "near the city of Boston" would have been more precise, and that's still 230 miles away.

Tragic. 

"Near the town of Rochester" would have been more accurate - Minnewaska does indeed lie adjacent to the township called Rochester, which encompasses Accord and a number of other better knows towns - which is quite far from the city of Rochester.  

There was a story like this where it was later discovered that the spouse of the victim had something to do with the "accident". Life insurance, or a secret lover.

Where's Waldenwrote:

There was a story like this where it was later discovered that the spouse of the victim had something to do with the "accident". Life insurance, or a secret lover.

I remember something like that happening in Glacier National Park (Montana).

Similar story of a man killing two wives in Colorado: denverpost.com/2017/07/26/h…

Multiple such incidents over the years, so, unfortunately, not an uncommon scenario. The initial article that I read concerning the recent Minnewaska incident, stated that the situation was 'under investigation'. This is undoubtedly routine in such circumstances, but there is the possibility that the authorities have additional information.

For a cathartic take on the "psychotic man pushes wife off cliff" scenario, check out Carl Hiaasen's "Skinny Dip" (fictional novel). In that story it turns out the wife is an Olympic swimmer and she survives being pushed overboard a cruise ship by swimming to a life-preserving bale of weed floating in the Gulf.

This is another arena where falls are all too common, about 20/year off cruise ships, with a high fatality rate. One can never be too careful when approaching the edge.

It’s a frequent occurrence these days, but people are still careless about their safety. If you encounter this kind of scenario, and you notice people posing for selfies in a risky location, please offer to take pictures for them to prevent harm or even fatality.

jt newgardwrote:

For a cathartic take on the "psychotic man pushes wife off cliff" scenario, check out Carl Hiaasen's "Skinny Dip" (fictional novel). In that story it turns out the wife is an Olympic swimmer and she survives being pushed overboard a cruise ship by swimming to a life-preserving bale of weed floating in the Gulf.

This is another arena where falls are all too common, about 20/year off cruise ships, with a high fatality rate. One can never be too careful when approaching the edge.

Thanks for the heads up.  Last Christmas the in-laws suggested the entire family go on a cruise together.

Multiple such incidents over the years, so, unfortunately, not an uncommon scenario.

Happened Skytop in the late 70s. 

It act amazing it does not happen more.   In 1987, Minnewaska was approached about having a mountain bike race in the park.  I was asked my opinion about it since I was one of the biking rangers, the park manager thought it could be a good idea, he was progressive on bikes and climbing.  I asked him how would he feel about a biker missing a turn and going off of a cliff, he quickly changed his mind And the race never happened. 

sandrockwrote:

Similar story of a man killing two wives in Colorado: denverpost.com/2017/07/26/h…

We had a similar one in the UK; bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-…

oldfattradguuy kkwrote:

It act amazing it does not happen more.   In 1987, Minnewaska was approached about having a mountain bike race in the park.  I was asked my opinion about it since I was one of the biking rangers, the park manager thought it could be a good idea, he was progressive on bikes and climbing.  I asked him how would he feel about a biker missing a turn and going off of a cliff, he quickly changed his mind And the race never happened. 

And there are lots of places where a biker could go over a cliff.  Moreover, it has happened at least once, with a fatal outcome.

oldfattradguuy kkwrote:

It act amazing it does not happen more.   In 1987, Minnewaska was approached about having a mountain bike race in the park.  I was asked my opinion about it since I was one of the biking rangers, the park manager thought it could be a good idea, he was progressive on bikes and climbing.  I asked him how would he feel about a biker missing a turn and going off of a cliff, he quickly changed his mind And the race never happened. 

About 5 years later a biker did ride off the cliff edge (I always assumed it was the Hamilton Point carriage road) and died.

EDIT - RG beat me to this

Leigh Shoffnerwrote:

Thanks for the heads up.  Last Christmas the in-laws suggested the entire family go on a cruise together.

Omg lol, glad I could help ; )