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16-year-old girl who died in Zoar Valley identified as Springville student

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The 16-year-old girl police said died after falling from a ledge in Zoar Valley has been identified as Brooke Walker.

In a statement to the community, Springville-Griffith Schools Superintendent Kimberly Moritz said the "rising junior fell while hiking" and the "entire school community mourns the terrible loss of one of our beloved students."

The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office said the accident happened around 6 p.m. Saturday. Moritz said the school district was notified Saturday, but refrained from notifying the community according to the Walker family's wishes.

“Brooke was an amazing young lady, talented, smart, funny and athletic among countless other positive attributes," said Springville High School Principal James Bialasik. "If you know the Walker Family, you know that their children are their entire world. Please know that as a school community, we will do whatever we can to offer support during this unspeakably challenging time. We know that Brooke was loved by everyone…peers and staff members alike.”

Moritz said counselors and school psychologists will be available for support "this week and as long as they are needed moving forward."

The Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area in Cattaraugus County comprises about 3,000 acres of state-owned land with shale cliffs up to 400' tall rising above Cattaraugus Creek. There have been several fatal falls there, most recently in July 2018, when a 20-year-old man fell while climbing a waterfall to get a photo.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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