An unidentified member of the Cornell community was rescued early Saturday morning by the Ithaca Police and Fire Departments after falling through the ice in Cascadilla Gorge. The Ithaca Police Department responded to a report of cries for help from the portion of the gorge above College Avenue Bridge at 3:53 a.m. and found the victim drifting into a state of unconsciouness, according to Police Investigator Michael Gray.
“[The victim’s] core body temperature was significantly low [when we found him],” Gray said. “He had fallen face-down into the water, and an officer had to walk down the … gorge and into the water to save him.”
The victim was taken by Medevac to Arnot-Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, where he was sedated for treatment of hypothermia-related issues. He also sustained minor trauma to his head and legs. Gray said that none of his injuries appear life-threatening.
The victim was found almost two hours after leaving another residence in Collegetown, Gray said. He had been walking home by himself after leaving a group of friends at 2 a.m.