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Man falls 50 feet from overlook on Interstate 89 in Vermont

Man in critical condition after traumatic fall off cliff

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Man falls 50 feet from overlook on Interstate 89 in Vermont
Man in critical condition after traumatic fall off cliff
Vermont State Police said a man who fell off a rock ledge parallel to I-89 is being treated at a hospital. Troopers said they learned Tucker Austin, 21, of Williston, had left his house on an ATV around midnight Friday and was heading to the overlook next to the interstate.  Family and friends called 911 around 1:30 a.m. Saturday after they found his ATV and cellphone at the overlook, leading them to believe he had fallen off.Emergency crews found Austin approximately 53 feet from the overlook laying adjacent to the interstate. "Although it was pitch black we were able to utilize scene lighting, flash light and also some manpower from an additional fire truck," Prescott Nadeau of Williston Fire Department said. "Rescuers were able to simply walk in and it was a nontechnical situation. As easily as they were able to walk in they were able to remove that patient in a rapid fashion to the UVM Medical Center without any technical rescue needed."While being transported, troopers said his family and friends disclosed that Austin had been consuming alcohol during the hours leading up to the fall. Police spoke to Austin at about 5:30 p.m. at the hospital.Based on the information, police said alcohol did appear to be a factor.The incident was deemed an accident, according to a press release.Austin is being treated in the intensive care unit for internal trauma sustained during the incident.

Vermont State Police said a man who fell off a rock ledge parallel to I-89 is being treated at a hospital. 

Troopers said they learned Tucker Austin, 21, of Williston, had left his house on an ATV around midnight Friday and was heading to the overlook next to the interstate.  Family and friends called 911 around 1:30 a.m. Saturday after they found his ATV and cellphone at the overlook, leading them to believe he had fallen off.

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Emergency crews found Austin approximately 53 feet from the overlook laying adjacent to the interstate. 

"Although it was pitch black we were able to utilize scene lighting, flash light and also some manpower from an additional fire truck," Prescott Nadeau of Williston Fire Department said. "Rescuers were able to simply walk in and it was a nontechnical situation. As easily as they were able to walk in they were able to remove that patient in a rapid fashion to the UVM Medical Center without any technical rescue needed."

While being transported, troopers said his family and friends disclosed that Austin had been consuming alcohol during the hours leading up to the fall. Police spoke to Austin at about 5:30 p.m. at the hospital.

Based on the information, police said alcohol did appear to be a factor.

The incident was deemed an accident, according to a press release.

Austin is being treated in the intensive care unit for internal trauma sustained during the incident.