Two injured after falling from 18 feet in Stephens Lake Park

Two people were seriously injured Thursday afternoon after falling about 18 feet from a dam at Stephens Lake Park.

Columbia firefighters responded to the park at around 4:30, where park visitors led them to Sherman’s Dam on the south side of the park.

They found two 19-year-old men on the rocks below the dam, near the water’s edge of Hinkson Creek.

Firefighters were able to get the men out with additional crews, and they were taken to University Hospital with potentially serious injuries.

John Metz with the Columbia Fire Department says the location of the victims made the rescue a little more difficult.

John Metz, Columbia Fire Department: “Having to get down the embankment of the creek, and through the trees and some rocky bluffs in that area, we had to place them in what we call stokes baskets or rescue stretchers. We called for additional personnel, additional equipment that have these baskets. We accessed them, secured them in those stretchers. And hand-carried them up the embankment through the trees and through the rocks to waiting ambulances.”

ABC 17 confirmed Friday a third person fell but did not get hurt, and refused treatment at the scene.

Columbia Parks and Recreation put up a temporary fence Friday afternoon restricting the area until the investigation is completed.

Officials say friends of the victims told them rocks gave way which caused the hikers to fall.

Police have not released the names of the victims.