SLIPPERY ROCK TWP, Lawrence County — A nearly perfect day for a hike Friday afternoon at McConnells Mill State Park turned harrowing for two young women — one who fell about 100 feet from a cliff near Breakneck Falls.

A rope rescue was used to reach Rachel Witkowski, 20, of Findley Lake, N.Y., who suffered unknown injuries in the fall about 12:30 p.m., authorities said.

“She had abrasions and was bleeding from a head injury,” said Chief Park Ranger Brian Moore.

But Witkowski was conscious and talking. She apparently had no broken bones. A medical helicopter later flew her to an unknown Pittsburgh hospital.

Her friend, Amy Haines, 21, of Butler, also had to be rescued after becoming trapped down the same steep hillside. She was not injured.

Like many others, the two women were making the most of the warm and sunny day to enjoy the park.

“(Witkowski) was on her way home and a friend was taking her back to (western) New York, and they stopped here first just to hike,” said Brian Partridge, assistant chief for the Wurtemburg-Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department.

It turned out to be no walk in the park.

Authorities said the women decided to try and hike down an unmarked trail near Breakneck Bridge, which overlooks the falls.

The descent is steep. Just several yards away is a caution sign that pus it in words: “Dangerous Cliffs.”

“(Witkowski) fell from the top of the cliff,” Partridge said.

“She was airborne for about 20 feet,” Moore said, “and tumbled end over end,” Moore said. “She hit her head several times.”

At some point, Haines made her way partially down the same hillside. She was able to secure herself on a large rock and called 911 for help.

Michael Winters and John Anderson, both of Butler Township, were hiking in the area and came upon the unfolding rescue.

They heard a woman, presumably Haines, yelling up to the rescuers. She was giving them information about her injured friend.

“We could see them,” Winters said. “We just got a quick glimpse.”

He and Anderson saw Witkowski laying on the ground and Haines seated on the rock.

Soon, the first rescuer was rappelling down a rope to reach the women.

Along with park rangers and the Wurtemburg-Perry Township VFD, firefighters from Portersville, Slippery Rock Township and Ellwood City joined in the effort. Portersville EMS was there, too.

The force, in all, numbered 18 rescuers.

“We rappelled down, packaged (Witkowski) in the (Stokes) basket and hiked her probably 100 yards to a better area,” he said.

“We hooked her up to a haul system (and) hauled her up over the hill.”

Moore said that because Haines could not make it up the hill on her own, crews placed her in a rescue harness and took her up the same route as her friend.

Once Witkowski was safely back to the top of the cliff, Winters and Anderson got a little better look at her.

“She was bandaged up and strapped to the basket,” Anderson said.

Her eyes were closed, Winters noticed, but she was talking.

“She was speaking softly to the firefighters,” he said.

Witkowski was taken by ambulance to a nearby field where a helicopter flew her for hospital treatment.

Friday's rope-style rescue was the second one this week at McConnells Mill. A woman in her 30s was rescued May 20 from near Kildoo Falls after falling about 30 feet.

She suffered injuries believed to be more serious than Witkowski's, authorities said, and was flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Moore said the two accidental falls should serve as reminders to all hikers.

“In my opinion,” he said. “I feel everyone should always stay on approved trails at the mill. It can be so dangerous that we recommend experienced hikers stay on the (marked) trails.”