A family outing at McConnells Mill State Park was cut short Saturday afternoon after a 45-year-old Westmoreland County woman fell about 15 feet into a crevice, authorities said.

The woman, from Irwin, whose name was not released, was later flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment of injuries in the fall shortly before 4 p.m. at the northern end of the park in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County.

She suffered a dislocated shoulder, a cut to the head and a possible concussion, said Bryan Moore, park ranger supervisor. Her condition was not available Sunday.

The woman was enjoying the sunny day with her husband, their two children, and a couple of friends when she slipped off a large rock a little off Alpha Pass Trail, which follows the east bank of Slippery Rock Creek, authorities said. The hiking trail leads to the mill.

One of the woman's children ran to the top of a nearby hill and called 911. Rangers got to her and kept her comfortable and still, until firefighters trained in rope rescue arrived a short time later.

An emergency medical technician also assisted her before she was hoisted to safety, within 30 minutes of falling. A STAT MedEvac helicopter was called in and flew her to UPMC Presbyterian hospital.

Fifth accident

The weekend accident was the fifth one to prompt rescue efforts at the park in the past four months.

On May 2, Jeffery Hanby II, 38, of Meadville, Crawford County, fell into the creek while hiking on the Kildoo Trail with his fiancée, just downstream from the covered bridge. His body has not been recovered.

A Slippery Rock University student was badly injured Feb. 23 after she fell about 80 feet down a cliff near Breakneck Falls. On March 24, a 12-year-old boy got stuck on a rock on Rim Road just up the hill from the covered bridge.

A 23-year-old Westmoreland County woman was hurt May 25 when she fell about 20 feet into the creek in the area of Kildoo Falls near the covered bridge.

To avoid those kinds of accidents, Moore urged park visitors to not stray from marked trails.

“We have signs that say, 'Stay on the trails,'” he said. “It's all about safety.”

He also urged park-goers to wear the right kind of footwear for hiking and climbing, and to be prepared with a first-aid kit — just in case.