Parris Island Marine dies during hiking trip

[thedrifter]

June 19, 2006
Parris Island Marine dies during hiking trip

By Brian Gartlan
Times staff writer


A Marine died Sunday during a hiking accident while on a band trip in Pennsylvania, according to a Marine Corps statement released today.

The accident occurred at Leonard Harrison State Park in Wellsboro, Pa., said the statement released by Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. The Marine was stationed at the depot.

The Parris Island Marine Band was in Wellsboro to take part in the Pennsylvania Laurel Festival on Saturday. The statement said that when the band’s return flight was delayed on Sunday, band members took a trip to the park.

The park is on the eastern rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, according to the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Web Site.

The Marine was assigned to the depot’s Headquarters and Service Battalion, said depot spokesman 1st Lt. Scott Miller.

The accident is under investigation and the name of the Marine has not yet been released, Miller said.

Chip Harrison, the park’s manager, said the Marine was taking photographs near a waterfall when he slipped and fell about 50 feet.

Harrison said the five trails have rugged terrain, slippery surfaces and steep cliffs.

“It’s not an easy hike,” he said.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marine dies in fall at park
Band member killed Sunday while taking photo during hike in Pa. Grand Canyon.
By BROOKE J. SHERMAN
Star-Gazette
June 20, 2006

WELLSBORO -- A member of the Parris Island Marine Band died Sunday in Leonard Harrison State Park in a hiking accident.

The Marine, whose identity has not been released, was hiking with four other members of the band when the group left the trail and snapped photos of a waterfall.

The Marine slipped on a rock at the top of the falls and fell 50 feet into a pool of water and rocks at the base of the waterfall, said Park Manager Chip Harrison. The group had been hiking along the Turkey Path Trail - a two-mile hike from the overlook to the canyon floor, he said. The accident occurred a half-mile from a ranger station, where one of the Marines went to notify officials.

The other Marines, park rangers, forest rangers and Wellsboro rescue personnel attempted to save the injured Marine. The Marine was pronounced dead at the scene by Tioga County Coroner James Daugherty from massive trauma to the head.

The Marines were members of the 51-person Parris Island Marine Band. The band's primary mission is to provide musical support for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, regional military ceremonies and community outreach. The band led the nearly two-hour-long Laurel Festival Parade on Saturday in Wellsboro.

About 45 members of the band traveled to Wellsboro for the 65th annual Laurel Festival on Saturday, said Donna Phillips, special events coordinator for the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce.

The band traveled by military air to the region from the base in Beaufort, S.C., and stayed at Mansfield University, Phillips said.

This was the first time in more than 20 years that a military band had participated in the parade, she said. The band received a warm welcome in Wellsboro, including applause at the Penn Wells Hotel, where members dined Saturday night.

"One of the Marines said 'This is awesome' as he walked by and that's what we tried to give them," Phillips said.

"We were very sorry for what happened on Sunday. They certainly knew they were very much appreciated and we offer our condolences to his family."

Lt. Scott Miller, media officer at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, said the band was scheduled to return to the base on Sunday, but was delayed and decided to spend the day hiking in the state park and viewing the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

The band was scheduled to return to the base Monday evening, Smith said.

The name of the Marine killed will not be released until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified, Smith said.

The death has been classified as an accident, Smith said.

This is the second death this year at Leonard Harrison State Park. In January, Jeffrey Edgerton, 39 of Mansfield, drove his car off an overlook in the park. The death was ruled a suicide.

"You should stay on the trail when you are hiking and watch trail conditions, especially when it's raining like this," Harrison said on Monday. "There are slippery surfaces out there. It's always a smart idea to stay on the trail."

Leonard Harrison State Park is a 585-acre park with some of the most famous views of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. The park is 10 miles west of Wellsboro.

Ellie