Hiker falls 75 feet to his death at popular Ohio state park

A 22-year-old man fell to his death while hiking on an overlook trail in one of Ohio’s most popular state parks, officials said Friday.

Alexander Colson, of Franklin County, OH, was exploring an area near Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills State Park when the fatal accident happened, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

He was on the overlook trail — with his back facing towards the cliff’s edge — when he took a step backward and lost his footing, officials said.

Colson plunged 75 feet to the ground below, where he was found by first responders. They rushed him to a local hospital, but he could not be saved. It was unclear if Colson was by himself at the time.

Hocking Hills is considered the third most popular state park in Ohio, according to Natural Resources officials. Colson is now the second hiker to die in the area this summer.

In June, authorities reportedly recovered the body of a 55-year-old woman who was killed in a remote section of the nearby Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve. It was not immediately clear how she died.

Authorities have had to conduct at least four rope-team rescues this year, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Three hikers fell over cliffs or waterfalls during Memorial Day weekend, alone.

More than 60 injuries were reported in the Hocking Hills region throughout 2018.

With Post wires

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