Woman slips, falls 50 feet and dies on hike

A woman hiking near Cascadel Falls fell 50 feet to her death last week after her foot slipped.

Thirty-seven-year-old Jamie Eischen of Fresno and a male companion were hiking Oct. 17, and had crossed a creek to explore a cave she had seen from the other side, according to Kayla Serratto of the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

After crossing the body of water, she stepped on some debris, which broke loose. She lost her footing and slipped, falling about 50 feet, landing on a granite slab below. She then rolled into water at the foot of the cliff.

Her companion hiked down to where she had fallen, lifted her from the water, and attempted CPR. When she did not regain consciousness, Serratto said, he hiked back up to the top of the cliff to a nearby residence to call 911.

CalFire medics were the first to arrive, Serratto said.

“They performed lifesaving measures,” she said in a news release, “but were unable to revive her. She was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 5:20 p.m.

“The preliminary investigation suggests the fall was an accident,” she said, and it is unknown whether drugs or alcohol were a factor.

“If anyone has information relating to this case, please contact the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at 675-7770,” Serratto said.