A college student
studying environmental science fell about 100 feet to her death while hiking on
a class trip to the Ozarks, officials said.
Andrea Norton, 20, was
among a group of Briar Cliff University students who traveled to Hawksbill Crag
in Arkansas' Ozark National Forest on Sunday morning as part of a class
activity, Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said.
Witnesses said she
repositioned herself for a photo and then fell, CNN affiliate KYTV reported.
Wheeler said 61
emergency personnel responded to the scene, and that Norton lost her footing
before she fell approximately 100 feet.
Norton was originally
from Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was a junior at Briar Cliff, which is in
Sioux City, Iowa. The professor that led the group of students to the crag has
been coming there for more than 20 years, Wheeler said.
Norton was a triple
major in biology, environmental science and had petitioned the school for an
associate degree in global studies, according to her obituary.
As part of her studies,
she traveled to Arkansas, Costa Rica and California, and was planning a trip to
the Galapagos Islands next year, her obituary said.
"Andrea developed
a genuine love for the planet and devoted herself to making a major impact in
the preservation," the obituary reads. "She never lost her
rambunctious approach to achieving her goals."
The university offered
its condolences and praised Norton as a stellar student in a post
on Facebook.
"Andrea was a
passionate environmental science major, exemplary student and dedicated
athlete. She lived BCU's values in everything she did from the classroom to the
court and everywhere she went," the university said.
Norton was a member of
Briar Cliff's women's volleyball team, wearing number 22.
"We are saddened
by the unexpected passing of our beloved teammate Andrea Norton. #22 on the
court, #1 in our hearts," the team said on Twitter.
- CNN
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