Woman dies after fall at Giant City State Park

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — A woman from Alabama died Sunday after falling about 55 feet from a cliff at Giant City State Park in southern Illinois.

Ashley Stempien, 37, of Mt. Vernon, Alabama, was sightseeing with Carlos Riddle, 31, of Daphne, Alabama, when she slipped and fell, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Stempien suffered severe injuries and was transported to a medivac helicopter, but died during the flight to a St. Louis-area hospital.

The incident is under investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.