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Ignoring Warning Signs Proves Deadly At Golden Gate National Recreation Area

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Published Date

June 27, 2017

A teenager who ignored danger signs fell to her death near Lands End Point in Golden Gate National Recreation Area/NPS map

Three teens chose to ignore warning signs at Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California, and it led to the death of one of them, who fell more than 150 feet.

Last Thursday, shortly before 6:30 p.m., authorities with the U.S. Park Police, the National Park Service Ocean Rescue, and the San Francisco Fire Department responded to a person who fell from a cliff near the Lands End Painted Rock area.

U.S. Park Police officers, upon arrival, began searching the Painted Rock cliff area and located an individual lying on a rock that was approximately 6 feet from the water’s edge. Officers tried to communicate with her, but she was not moving and unresponsive.

National Park Service Ocean Rescue responded on a rescue water craft. The injured person had extensive trauma to her head and body. Lifesaving efforts began as the individual was taken to China Beach, where she was transferred to a San Francisco Fire Department Medical Unit. The individual had succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead by the San Francisco Fire Department.

A preliminary investigation revealed the juvenile decedent and two other juveniles had parked a vehicle along El Camino Del Mar. All three walked down to a fence that has a sign indicating “Danger Area Closed.” The three ignored the sign and made their way through this fence and walked to the Painted Rock cliff edge, a Park Service release said.

U.S. Park Police detectives confirmed with two of the juveniles that they knew the area was closed to the public. At some point, one of the juveniles fell approximately 150 to 200 feet and landed on a large rock.

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