Police ID Man Injured in 30-Foot Fall While Photographing Waterfall, Fall Foliage

Police have identified the 51-year-old New York City man who was injured after slipping and falling 30 feet from rocks while taking pictures of a waterfall and fall foliage at Enders State Forest in Granby on Saturday afternoon.

Life Star airlifted Michael Happel, 51,  to Hartford Hospital after a rescue mission near an Enders State Forest waterfall off of Route 219 (Barkhamsted Road).

Happel was photographing a waterfall and fall foliage in the forest when he fell off some slippery rocks at the edge of the waterfall at about 12:45 p.m, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Official said Happel suffered serious cuts on his face and head, a broken jaw, and an open leg fracture. He is recovering from non-life-threatening injuries and his condition is unclear at this time.

Granby police and firefighters and local emergency personnel responded, as well as the DEEP Environmental Conservation police.

It is unclear whether the man was with anyone else when he fell.

More information will be provided when it becomes available.

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