Cattaraugus Creek’s Zoar Valley. (Image courtesy of NY DEC)
GOWANDA – A Gowanda man has died after a fatal fall along the Cattaraugus Creek in Cattaraugus County.
Local media is reporting that 49-year-old Ronald Felle Jr. died Wednesday after falling approximately 200 feet from a cliff near Cattaraugus Creek in Versailles. He was reportedly hiking along the top of the cliff when he fell. His death was determined to be accidental.
Meanwhile, a hiker who was walking along Cattaraugus Creek in the Zoar Valley area had to be rescued after she fell into the creek on Tuesday around noon.
New York State police say 35 year old Kelly Ziolkowski of Tonawanda was attempting to walk along the edge of the creek when she lost her footing and slipped into the creek. The rapid current pulled her out into the creek and downstream. Her companion called 911 and several agencies responded to the scene. Members of the Gowanda Fire Department were able to use a raft to get into the creek and locate Ziolkowski, who was found still in the water, clinging to the bank.
The rescue team was able to pull her from the water and safely bring her back to shore. She was uninjured and subsequently released.
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