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Air One rescues injured girl in Zoar Valley

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The Erie County Sheriff's Department mobilized its Air One helicopter Thursday evening to rescue a teenaged girl who was hurt while hiking in Zoar Valley. Captain Kevin Caffery and Deputy Art Litzinger responded with Air One shortly after 6pm.  A 16-year-old girl was hiking with friends when she lost her footing and fell. 

Caffery says he flew Air One into the gorge.  With assistance from the Gowanda Fire Department's rope rescue unit and forest rangers, Caffery and Litzinger were able to rescue the girl.  Caffery said the girl sustained numerous injuries.

"She has a compound fracture of the right ankle," Caffery said.  "She had a lot of scrapes and cuts from falling down and hitting the rocks.  She had a minor head injury.  The girl is lucky to be alive."

The girl was taken by Mercy Flight to the Erie County Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

Caffery says Zoar Valley is dangerous, and he encourages people to avoid hiking there unless they know what they're doing.

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