16 yo dies after falling from Petit Jean overlook

"Dottie" as well as him being 16 he was almost an adult. It was nobody's fault. Terrible things happen like this all the time. He got too close & slipped.

"Dottie" as well as him being 16 he was almost an adult. It was nobody's fault. Terrible things happen like this all the time. He got too close & slipped.

Ditties this child was in Foster care

As tragic as it is, it's NO ONE else's fault that this happened.

This is really sad, but PARENTS need to teach their children to be aware of the dangers around cliff areas. Blaming others is just not productive. Some kids take unnecessary risks and some just don't know any better because they've never been told. PARENTS are supposed to be the teachers. It's tragic that this young man lost his life, and even more tragic that people are blaming the park officials for not warning of the dangers when it SHOULD be self-explanatory. If you're on a cliff, you shouldn't venture too close to the edge.

I was one of the many people at the bottom of the falls when Allen fell. I pray that God may be with his family during these times. It's a day I will never forget. My grandfather lived off the base of the mountain my whole childhood and after he passed, I purchased his house due to my love for the area. During my life, I have been on the mountain to witness two deaths that involved falls off of cliffs. I understand peoples concern for safety in these dangerous areas. My grandpa made me promise him as a child that I would never venture out on top of the falls or Ny other cliff areas, because he was fully aware of the dangers involved. I know every trail on the mountain inside and out. The issues with fencing off these areas is that there is truely miles and miles of these dangerous cliff sides throughout the park. Fencing the whole area off is first of all not feasible, not to mention an eye sore for something that is all about being as natural and untouched as possible to keep this park a beautiful place. I feel that the park does its best to mark and fence off the dangerous spots such as overlooks and spots that the trails run along. A big issue is people that ignore these signs or get off the designated trail and head to areas that aren't a part of the trail and designated areas. A good rule of thumb is to stay on the main trail and not to venture off. Accidents do happen and its inevitable when all rules are being followed even.

he was my cousin and where he was at there where no warning signs what so ever telling him. RIP "Squeaky" we will always love and miss you!

IS THERE ANYONE who can give a talk...with stories....before these hiking groups hike? You would think SOMEONE would warn young people how this happens. It is not necessary. God Bless

THIS IS TOOO TRAGIC...Doesn't this happen once or twice each year? Why can't there be enough fencing to keep this from happening? God Bless his family.

Sad story. So sorry for the victim and family. As a nature lover with a below knee prosthetic I can't get back there anymore. It is a beautiful place. A beautiful young life over. At that age we think we are bullet proof.