Student falls from 35-foot cliff and survives

Camping has been temporarily put on hold for a University of Arkansas student and his friends after falling 35 feet from a cliff that claimed the life of another just months prior.

According to WTAE, 18-year-old Sam Roberts was hiking with friends Ty Maple and Parker West on a typical camping trip in Newton County, Arkansas when Sam slipped on some pine needles and fell 35 feet from Whitaker Point, also known locally as Hawksbill Crag. Ty heard the yell as Sam fell from the bluff and immediately went to his aid as Parker rushed to the top of the cliff to find cellular signals and alert local authorities.

“I was with him probably ten seconds after he fell […] His head was just laying between two rocks, and his eyes were closed and he leaned back. I didn’t know if he was alive or not,” Maple stated to a reporter according to the video news report by AOL.

Emergency personnel and assistance arrived an estimated hour after the incident and carried him via helicopter to the nearest hospital.

Sam received treatment for a fractured tail bone and a broken arm. Doctors say his injuries are not extremely severe and that he should be able to return to school as early as March 25. Sam is currently recovering from the fall, but his friends are looking forward to their next adventure.