Fall Fatal for Young Hiker on Santa Cruz Island

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Date: May 10, 2010
Contact: Yvonne Menard, 805-658-5725

A 22-year-old man, a Goleta CA resident, died on Saturday afternoon May 8, 2010, after a 60-foot fall off the cliff at Potato Harbor on Santa Cruz Island within Channel Islands National Park.

The fall victim, Trevor Brent Correia, a student from Santa Barbara City College, landed on a ledge situated about 60 feet below the top of the cliff and well over 200 feet above Potato Harbor on the northeast end of Santa Cruz Island.

National Park Ranger Randy Nelson responded after being notified at about 2:30 p.m. by one of the victim’s friends. Nelson and two other park employees were able to safely descend the slope at Potato Harbor where they found two bystanders assisting Correia.

Upon arrival Ranger Nelson found Correia unconscious, unresponsive, and with labored breathing. Initial emergency medical treatment and monitoring continued until a Ventura County Sherriff Search and Rescue helicopter arrived with paramedic response. Shortly following their arrival, Correia’s condition worsened and CPR was initiated.

Due to the steep nature of the cliff the victim was air lifted from the ledge to the rescue helicopter. At about 4:30 p.m. Correia was transported by the Ventura County rescue helicopter to St. John’s Hospital in Oxnard, CA, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner has determined the cause of death as an accident. Use of alcohol is being investigated as a contributing factor in this accident.

At the time of the accident Correia was on a day visit to Santa Cruz Island, hiking with seven friends including his girlfriend, four other females and one male. Several of his companions witnessed his fall.

The group returned from the island late Saturday afternoon and later met with National Park Service rangers and the Ventura County Medical Examiner where they were informed of their friend’s fate. Correia’s family, who live in San Diego County, were also notified about the tragedy.



Last updated: February 27, 2015

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