Cliff Jumping Accident

On the afternoon of May 13th, a bystander contacted the host at Ozark campground and reported that a 43-year-old man was in need of immediate medical attention after jumping off a 60-foot cliff along the Buffalo River. The man was reported to have lost consciousness and was seen floating face down after hitting the water feet first. Rangers, an ambulance and a medevac helicopter responded and arrived within minutes of the initial call. The man was pulled out of the water by bystanders prior to the arrival of EMS units and was found lying on the ground, complaining of severe back pain but showing no signs of paralysis. He was treated by paramedics and airlifted to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The man’s 38-year-old friend had dropped off the cliff first, but did not sustain any injuries. In an interview. the friend admitted that they both had smoked marijuana, taken several illegally obtained Xanax pills, and consumed about a case of beer prior to the accident.