Student killed in rock climbing accident

A university student died in a rock climbing accident this weekend in upstate New York, police said.

Senior Stephanie Prezant was climbing with friends in the Trapps Cliff area of the Mohonk Preserve when she was killed in a fall at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to New York State Police. The 22-year-old student was descending to the cliff base after successfully reaching the top when she fell approximately 20 feet due to an apparent equipment malfunction.

She was treated at the scene and transported to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where she died from injuries sustained in the fall.

The preserve is in Gardiner, which is located 70 miles north of New York City. Gretchen Reed, director of marketing and communications at Mohonk Preserve, said police are currently investigating the fall.

“We have had fortunately not many rock climbing accidents, but we have had some,” Reed said.

Prezant, a Haworth, N.J. resident, was scheduled to graduate in May with majors in psychology and criminal justice, according to university officials.

“I am deeply saddened by Stephanie’s death and I offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends,” said Dawn Thompson, dean of students and associate vice president for Student Life. “There are no words that fully express the grief that follows the death of one so young. I urge Stephanie’s friends to reach out for support during this difficult time.”

The Office of Student Life is providing bus transportation to Prezant’s memorial services, which are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday in Hackensack, N.J.