New Kensington man rescued after falling 60 feet over steep hillside

The New Kensington Fire Department and EMS crews rescued a man who fell from a hillside Saturday afternoon.

The man fell over a hillside in the 300 block of Fernledge Drive. He was doing yard work when he lost his balance and fell about 60 feet, according to New Kensington Fire Chief Ed Saliba, Jr.

The man was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

“Where he fell was almost straight down — it wasn’t a gradual grade,” Saliba said.

Firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs rappelled over the hill to reach him. They put the man on a backboard and Stokes basket to get him back over the hill, Saliba said.

“He was talkative when he came up and he seemed to be in really good spirits,” Saliba said. He said the man did not appear to be seriously injured, but was taken to the hospital.

In all, the rescue effort took between 45 minutes and an hour.

“The firefighters did an outstanding job,” Saliba said. “They coordinated a very good effort, considering what all was involved. The man was extremely fortunate.”

A 911 dispatcher could not identify the man.