Two New Boston teens are seriously injured after falling off a cliff in two different accidents in separate locations during the July 4th holiday weekend.
Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Akins and 19-year-old Sydney Barron are currently recovering from serious injuries after slipping and falling off a cliff.
Sydney Barron, 19, a sophomore at SAU lost her footing while attempting to jump into Broken Bow Lake in Oklahoma on Monday, July 4th at approximately 3 p.m. Barron fell off the 60 foot cliff, bouncing off rocks 20 feet down and then free falling for approximately 40 feet until submerging into the lake where she was able to be reached and taken out of the water.
Moments after falling into the water, a family friend was able to get her out and onto the boat, where he held her neck steady until first responders arrived.
“He practically saved her life and we are so thankful for him,” said Sydney Barron’s father, Jamie Barron.
Nineteen-year-old, Sydney Barron was airlifted to CHRISTUS St. Michael in Texarkana and lastly transferred to UAMS Hospital in Little Rock where she has undergone multiple surgeries to repair numerous breaks in her leg and pelvis, and is continuing her recovery.
“Her recovery will be very long and hard. We are asking everyone to please pray for her and her recovery and want to thank everyone for their prayers, calls and texts. My wife and I are so thankful for all the support we’ve had from our community since this has happened,” added Jamie Barron.
Alyssa Akins, 17, of New Boston fell off a 40 foot cliff at a popular sight near Albert Pike, on Saturday, July 2nd.
Akins was visiting a popular area known as the Blue Hole with her family the day of the accident.
Akins made her way to the top of a 40 ft cliff in order to jump off, but her jump was too short, landing her on rocks and shallow water.
Akins suffered severe injuries and was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas where she has received treatment and is continuing her recovery.
Both teens are expected to make a full recovery.
