Enders Falls’ reputation as one of New England’s must-see waterfalls flows just as fast online as the water that runs through it.
“It's the number one place to see in Connecticut according to another magazine article that came out,” Chief John Horr with the Lost Acres Fire Department said.
But with the beauty at Enders State Forest in Granby, Horr said can come danger beyond bumps and bruises.
“Compound fracture of the leg, head injuries are very common here because of the fall. You're hitting rocks on your way down,” Horr said.
Horr said in the last 15 years rescuers have gotten 28 calls out to the area. He said at least half or more of those calls have been since 2011 alone.
“We just finished our training out here last week because we know the spring time is when people like to come out here,” Horr said.
In 2013, a 15-year-old girl died after falling 15-20 feet at Enders.
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Tuesday night the Lost Acres, East Hartland and Barkhamstead East Fire Departments responded to the first fall of the year. An 18-year-old girl was knocked unconscious after falling 20 feet near a waterfall.
“The procedure was different, we had to improvise with the equipment in the position that she was in,” Horr said.
NBC Connecticut captured first-responders practicing rescue operations last June. Horr said the team made eight rescues last year. Half of the victims had to flown to the hospital by LifeStar, and each rescue took 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
“We just stuck our feet into the water,” Alicia Talbot said.
Talbot brought her son to the park Wednesday. While the falls are refreshing she knows they can take a turn for the worse.
“There's signs posted everywhere cliffs slippery rocks,” Talbot said.
“Come and enjoy nature, but nature needs to be respected,” Horr said.
