10-year-old dies after 100-foot fall at popular hiking spot, Illinois officials say
A 10-year-old girl died after falling 100 feet from Garden of the Gods, a popular scenic spot in the Shawnee National Forest, Illinois officials say.
The incident happened Friday, July 29, at Devil’s Smokestack, according to WEVV. The cliff is a “stand-alone, pillar-shaped rock formation.”
She suffered multiple injuries and was flown to a Carbondale hospital, where she died later in the day Friday, The Southern Illinoisan reported.
The girl was identified as Everly Montgomery, who was entering fourth grade at North Daviess Elementary School in Elnora, Indiana. Her mother is a teacher at the school, North Daviess Community Schools said in a statement on Sunday, July 31.
According to her obituary, Everly participated in volleyball, cross country, softball and coding clubs.
“When not playing sports, Everly loved riding her bicycle to the local library,” the obituary said. “She was a bright, inquisitive young girl and an avid reader. Her smile and enthusiasm could brighten anyone’s day.”
The geologic structure Garden of the Gods is considered the “most popular hike in the Shawnee National Forest.” The structure includes rock formations visitors are allowed to climb on top of, but not without risks.
“It’s up to everyone to police themselves and to be careful and to not get in the position where you can be harmed,” former Saline County Sheriff Keith Brown told KFVS. “Obviously, there’s not enough park rangers, there’s not enough law enforcement to be everywhere all the time. Being responsible is something we ask especially in an area that is very dangerous if you’re not paying attention and not careful.”
Everly’s funeral will be Thursday, Aug. 4, in her hometown of Odon, Indiana.
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