Kaaterskill Falls in Greene County is a beautiful place to explore any time of the year. During the summer months hikers take the hour long journey by foot to the see one of the highest waterfalls in New York State. Visiting during the winter is another experience altogether.

Just this week 2 hikers were struck in the head by the same chunk of falling ice at Kaaterskill Falls. Considering this 2-stage waterfall is as high as 260 feet, it is a miracle these individuals survived this incident.

Q 105.7 logo
Get our free mobile app

At approximately 4pm on Saturday January 11, 2025, according to a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) press release, 2 individuals were making their way to Kaaterskill Falls when not one but both were struck by the same chunk of ice.

New York State DEC officers responded to a call that indicated the hikers were at the bottom of Kaaterskill Falls when the incident happened. Once on the scene Rangers found a 29-year-old from Brooklyn had been struck in the head and needed assistance leaving the area.

518 news, Kaaterskill Falls, Green County New York, hikers struck in the head by ice
dec.ny.gov
loading...

Ten New York State DEC officers helped to secure the first victim in a liter and wheeled her back to Laurel House Road. The second subject was able to \walk out on their own. The entire incident was closed by 7:30pm.

DEC reminds visitors to Kaaterskill Falls to use micro spikes for better traction in winter and to be aware of overhead ice dangers. Additional winter hiking safety tips can be found HERE.

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi

25 Songs About Real Life Tragedies

Tracks inspired by horrific events.

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF

More From Q 105.7