Rescue below Newport's Cliff Walk

6.1.99 00:02:51 From www.ProJo.com
Copyright © 1999 The Providence Journal Company


Man hits rock in 40-foot dive
A summer lark turned grave yesterday when one of two young men diving from Newport's Cliff Walk struck a submerged rock and was badly injured.

Newport Fire Department members used technical rock-climbing skills to rescue Michael Gray, 23, shortly after 5 p.m. Fire Capt. Thomas Kenney, of Station 2, said Gray struck his head, shoulder and the left side of his body on the rock after a plunge of about 40 feet. He said 15 firefighters and rescue personnel worked to stabilize Gray and pull him back up the cliff face.

``He was having difficulty breathing . . . and reported no feeling in his legs and diminished feeling in his left arm,'' Kenney said. He said rescue personnel did not know where Gray lived, or the name of his companion.

Firefighters had to break through the gates to Rough Point, the estate of the late Doris Duke, to rescue Gray, said Lt. James McIntosh. He said crews practice cliff rescues annually, and get at least 10 calls a year for injuries along the Cliff Walk.

Gray was taken to Newport Hospital, and transferred several hours later to Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, where he was listed in critical condition last night.