Teen ignoredsign before falling from San Francisco cliff
A 17-year-old girl died after disregarding a warning sign and plummeting more than 150 feet from the top of a cliff while hiking with friends in San Francisco last week.
San Francisco Fire Department spokesman Lt. Jonathan Baxter said earlier that Victoria ‘Tori’ La Rocca lost her footing on a vertiginous ocean cliff near San Francisco's picturesque Lands End area last Thursday evening.
She landed on the rocks below and died on the way to the hospital.
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Tragic death: Victoria ‘Tori’ La Rocca, 17 (left and right) died last Thursday after she lost her footing during a hike and fell from an ocean cliff in San Francisco
The fatal incident took place a the top of the Painted Rock cliffs in Lands End
Warning ignored: US Park Police say La Rocca ad two friends ignored this danger sign and climbed over a barrier during a hike
La Rocca was a Corte Madera resident and a student at San Francisco's St. Ignatius College Preparatory School.
On Monday, US Park Police officials said the high school junior and two friends parked their car along El Camino Del Mark at around 6.30pm last Thursday and walked down to a fence that had a sign indicating, 'Danger Area Closed.'
Instead of turning back, Park police said all three teens ignored the warning, climbed over the barrier and made their way to the top of the Painted Rock cliffs.
The 17-year-old girl then slipped and fell 150-200 feet, landing on a large rock, reported the station KPIX.
Responding officers found La Rocca lying on the rock about 6 feet from the edge of the water, suffering from massive trauma and fractures to her head and body.
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The 17-year-old girl slipped and fell 150-200 feet, landing on a large rock. This screenshot shows firefighters carrying her after she was rescued
La Rocca succumbed to her extensive injuries in an ambulance en route to the hospital (pictured)
Bouquets of flowers and a handwritten sign are seen at the site of La Rocca's death
Unable to reach La Rocca by land, Park Police dispatched a Jet-Ski to retrieve her by water.
By the time rescuers got to her, La Rocca was still breathing, but she succumbed to her extensive injuries in an ambulance en route to the hospital.
According to her obituary, La Rocca was a graduate of St. Hilary School in Tiburon and had recently completed her third year at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco.
She was described as a diligent student and an accomplished athlete.
Absolute Volleyball Club in San Rafael, where La Rocca had been a member for five years, posted a tribute on Facebook mourning her untimely passing.
Family: Victoria (far left) is survived by her parents, two sisters, an older brother (pictured) and two stepbrothers.
La Rocca was described as a diligent student and an accomplished volleyball player (left)
'Tori as we all knew her was a kind, loving, gentle and amazing young girl,' the message read. 'Tori was loved by all of her teammates and coaches. Her big smile, her energy and passion were infectious.
'She touched the lives of everyone around her on a daily basis. Thank you for making such a difference in so many lives in a such a short time.
The teenager is survived by her parents, two sisters, an older brother and two stepbrothers.
A vigil for La Rocca is being held Tuesday night at St Ignatius Church, followed by a funeral Mass and a private burial service on Wednesday.
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