In a tragic series of events over the weekend, Cornell University and the Ithaca community were rocked by a string of incidents at the Fall Creek Gorge that have resulted in two confirmed deaths, one person missing, and another rescued. The events, spread across Saturday and Sunday, involved students from Cornell University, leading to growing concerns about mental health and safety on campus. The Ithaca Police Department (IPD), Ithaca Fire Department (IFD), and multiple local agencies are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incidents as authorities work to bring clarity and support to a grieving campus and city.
Timeline of Incidents: A Weekend of Heartbreak
The sequence of incidents began early Saturday morning with an emergency call reporting someone had fallen into the gorge. Responders from the Ithaca Police Department, Ithaca Fire Department, and Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety division arrived promptly, but tragically, these were just the first of several distress calls over the next 24 hours.
- Saturday, Early Morning
At approximately 1:10 a.m., Ithaca Police, Fire Department personnel, and Bangs Ambulance arrived at the Fall Creek Gorge near the Stewart Avenue Bridge following reports of a person falling. Rescue teams worked to retrieve the individual, who was later airlifted to Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital. Unfortunately, the individual succumbed to their injuries en route. Cornell University has yet to release the student’s name, pending notification of family members, but the loss has reverberated across the student body, who were informed of the incident later in the day. - Sunday Morning, 10:30 a.m. – Multiple Calls
The tragedy deepened on Sunday morning when emergency services received multiple calls, resulting in a full-scale response along several points of the gorge. According to IFD Assistant Chief Jim Wheal, the response began when a passerby reported witnessing an individual falling into the waters below the Stewart Avenue Bridge. Responders quickly arrived at the scene, where they found a body near the bridge. In a recovery operation that lasted nearly three hours, firefighters used high-angle rope systems to retrieve the victim’s body. The deceased was identified as a second Cornell University student, whose name remains unreleased. IFD, along with Bangs Ambulance, IPD, and Cornell Environmental Health & Safety, coordinated closely to ensure a respectful recovery. - Sunday Morning, 10:50 a.m. – Giles Street Pedestrian Bridge
Mere moments after responders finished the initial recovery, another report emerged, this time from the Giles Street pedestrian bridge at the base of Ithaca’s South Hill. A witness claimed to have seen someone jumping from the bridge into Six Mile Creek, an area known for its challenging terrain and steep drop-offs. Authorities conducted an extensive search of the waters and surrounding land but were unable to locate a body. Police believe that if there was indeed a victim, their body may remain submerged or obscured by the creek’s rugged landscape. Search teams, including the Cayuga Heights, Lansing, and Newfield Fire Departments, continued to comb the area but eventually called off the search on Sunday afternoon as visibility waned. - Sunday Afternoon, 12:34 p.m. – Final Recovery Effort
At 12:34 p.m., responders returned to the gorge for a separate report of an individual seen in distress in the water. Emergency teams rappelled down cliffsides and managed to recover the individual, who was transported to a local hospital and listed in stable condition. The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, is expected to survive, though officials have not released further information on their condition or relationship to the other victims.
Investigation and Response: Ithaca Police and Fire Departments at the Helm
The Ithaca Police Department and Fire Department have been joined by Cornell University’s Campus Police and New York State Emergency Services in conducting an exhaustive investigation to understand the causes behind the weekend’s events. Assistant Chief Wheal noted that while the deaths appear to be suicides, the investigation remains in its early stages, with additional forensic and psychological analyses pending. The teams have combed through surveillance footage from nearby areas, interviewed witnesses, and are working closely with campus officials to gather any additional details that may shed light on the incidents.
In an official statement, Assistant Chief Wheal expressed gratitude for the support of neighboring fire departments from Cayuga Heights, Lansing, and Newfield, whose personnel bolstered local responders as they undertook multiple complex recovery operations across difficult terrain. The closures of Stewart Avenue and Giles Street underscored the scale of the response, and while traffic disruptions were minimal, authorities requested that the public avoid the gorge areas to facilitate the ongoing investigation.
Impact on Cornell University and Ithaca Community
The Cornell community has been left shaken by the loss of two students and the rescue of a third individual, all within the same weekend. Cornell University has provided crisis counseling for students and staff, encouraging those affected to seek support in coping with these tragic events. A university spokesperson acknowledged the profound impact of the incidents on the entire campus community, describing them as “a devastating loss for everyone.” Messages of condolence and solidarity have poured in from across the student body, with campus organizations and faculty joining in a vigil scheduled for later this week.
Cornell’s student mental health organizations have responded with urgency, reinforcing the availability of resources and emergency contacts, including access to the national suicide prevention hotline at 988. A Cornell spokesperson stated, “We urge our students to remember they are not alone; support networks are available, and we are here to help anyone who needs assistance during this time.”
Ithaca residents and community leaders have also expressed their sorrow, underscoring the collective grief that has gripped the town. Local mental health advocates, in conjunction with Ithaca’s Mayor Laura Lewis, have called for increased awareness and support for mental health services, especially for young adults navigating the pressures of academic life and personal challenges.
The Gorge: A History of Tragic Incidents
The Fall Creek Gorge, known for its scenic beauty, has long been a popular spot for students and tourists alike. However, its towering cliffs and swift waters have also made it a site of numerous fatalities over the years. In response to recurring incidents, Cornell University and Ithaca officials have taken extensive measures, including the installation of fences and warning signs at strategic locations along the gorge. The university has also implemented programs aimed at raising mental health awareness and has worked closely with local authorities to develop emergency response protocols for incidents in high-risk areas.
Despite these preventive measures, the allure of the gorge’s natural beauty continues to draw visitors, some of whom may be unaware of the dangers. Local authorities are currently considering additional measures to enhance safety around the gorge, including more stringent monitoring and potential modifications to existing barriers.
Path Forward: Support and Healing
As the Ithaca and Cornell communities process these tragic losses, the focus remains on providing support for those affected. Memorial services and moments of silence are being planned for the deceased, and student groups are organizing gatherings to remember their classmates and offer comfort to one another. Mental health advocates continue to encourage open dialogue and support for individuals struggling with mental health concerns, reminding the public that resources are available for anyone in need.
Cornell University has committed to working with local agencies to review and improve campus safety protocols, and a renewed emphasis on mental health support will be a central focus of university initiatives in the coming months. For now, the Ithaca community and the Cornell family mourn together, united in grief but determined to honor the lives lost by fostering a community of care, understanding, and resilience.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or contact your local crisis hotline for immediate assistance.
