Hiker severely injured after falling off cliff on Grand Island

MUNISING, Mich. (WLUC) - According to the Alger County Sheriff’s Office, a 35-year-old man fell off a cliff on the west side of Grand Island around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

A group of visitors were riding their bikes on Grand Island in the Hiawatha National Forest when they went off the trail in a remote section of the island near the Mather Lodge area.

The man walked to the edge of a cliff and slipped on a root left wet from recent rain, causing him to fall approximately 70 feet. He hit the face of the cliff and fell into Lake Superior. He was assisted out of the water by other visitors.

A boat transported the man off the island to Munising Bay Shore Park and Guardian Flight took him to UP Health System-Marquette. The man was conscious upon arrival and is reported to be in stable condition. No names are being released at this time.

Alger County Sheriff’s Office, Alger County Rescue 21, Alger County EMS, US Forest Service, and the US Coast Guard responded to the scene. The US Forest Service is investigating the incident.

The Hiawatha National Forest encourages visitors to recreate responsibly. Many areas of the Forest are remote, making emergency response difficult.

“The safety of our public and employees is our highest priority,” said West Zone District Ranger Charlie Marsh. “We want our visitors to enjoy their experience on the Forest and ask that they recreate responsibly and recognize the inherent dangers while utilizing National Forest lands. At the end of the day, we want everyone to make it home safely.”

For more information about current conditions or outdoor safety, visit the Hiawatha National Forest online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/hiawatha/alerts-notices.