CORFU – A West Seneca teen was airlifted to Erie County Medical Center Thursday evening after he fell into the gorge at Indian Falls in the Town of Pembroke, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office reports.
Matthew J. Kwiatkowski, 17, of Pinewood Drive, suffered a neck or back injury in the fall, authorities say. The Genesee County 911 Center received a call about the fall at 8:24 p.m.
Officers report that Kwiatkowski was able to climb to a rock ledge above the water between the falls, where the East Pembroke Water Rescue Team retrieved him. He was hoisted from the gorge by the Genesee County Rope Rescue Team and taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC.
The sheriff’s office says Kwiatkowski had come to the falls with three friends, Brandon T. Briley, 18, and Adam J. Hawco, 17, both of Center Road, West Seneca; and William D. Fowler, 18, of Pleasant Lane, Cheektowaga. Deputies report the other youths were able to climb to safety unharmed. Charges may be pending.
Coordinators from the Genesee County Emergency Management Office responded, along with volunteer firefighters from Indian Falls, Pembroke, East Pembroke and Alabama, as well as Alden’s Rescue Team.
Matthew J. Kwiatkowski, 17, of Pinewood Drive, suffered a neck or back injury in the fall, authorities say. The Genesee County 911 Center received a call about the fall at 8:24 p.m.
Officers report that Kwiatkowski was able to climb to a rock ledge above the water between the falls, where the East Pembroke Water Rescue Team retrieved him. He was hoisted from the gorge by the Genesee County Rope Rescue Team and taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC.
The sheriff’s office says Kwiatkowski had come to the falls with three friends, Brandon T. Briley, 18, and Adam J. Hawco, 17, both of Center Road, West Seneca; and William D. Fowler, 18, of Pleasant Lane, Cheektowaga. Deputies report the other youths were able to climb to safety unharmed. Charges may be pending.
Coordinators from the Genesee County Emergency Management Office responded, along with volunteer firefighters from Indian Falls, Pembroke, East Pembroke and Alabama, as well as Alden’s Rescue Team.