Stony Point 6/14/06 Tech Rescue

[Remember585 815]

1 dead after car plunges over cliff at Bear Mountain

By SARAH NETTER

snetter@lohud.com

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: June 14, 2006)

STONY POINT — One person is dead and others injured after a car went over a cliff on Bear Mountain this evening.

State Park Police Detective David Szekeres said at scene tonight that rescue workers believe four people were in the car that tumbled down the mountain after leaving Perkins Memorial Drive.

The person killed was female, he said. At least one victim was taken to Nyack Hospital.

Numerous rescue workers were at the site, including the Rockland Technical Rescue Team and the Fort Montgomery Technical Rescue Team. Firefighters from Highland Falls, Hillcrest, Pearl River and New City were at the scene as well.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the area — which straddles the Rockland and Orange county line — about 6 p.m.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS STORY TOMORROW IN THE JOURNAL NEWS.

Edited June 15, 2006 by Remember585

[Guest]

Bear Mountain cliff plunge ruled suicide; husband arraigned

By THE JOURNAL NEWS

FROM STAFF REPORTS

(Original Publication: June 16, 2006)

STONY POINT—The Staten Island man whose wife was killed when the family car rolled off a cliff in Bear Mountain State Park was arraigned this morning on charges stemming from accusations that he helped her commit suicide.

Their two children were in the minivan when it plummeted 300 feet.

Victor Han, 34, faces one count of promoting a suicide attempt and two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, both felonies, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

In Stony Point Town Court this morning, Han did not enter a plea. He did not have a lawyer.

Justice William Franks ordered Han held on $ 75,000 cash bail or $ 100,000 bond. He is due back in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.

According to the charges, Han drove up Bear Mountain with knowledge that his wife wanted to attempt suicide and he allowed it.

Police said they interviewed family members, including the children, and friends of the Han family and determined that Han's wife, Hejin Han, 35, was suicidal and had threatened to harm herself and her children.

"We believe he afforded her that opportunity," said Col. James Warwick, acting director of law enforcement for the New York state park police.

Park police gave this account: The family drove to Bear Mountain, the husband got out of the minivan , then the wife "put the vehicle in drive and locked the doors. The vehicle went over the cliff," Warwick said.

"He left the van knowing very well she may do this," he said.

State police Lt. David Love said early today that Han has been "cooperating with us from the beginning." Love said Han had not yet asked for a lawyer.

Warwick said that once Han's wife had locked the doors, he couldn't have stopped the van if he wanted to.

Han's two young children miraculously survived a 300-foot plunge down a mountainside during which their family's minivan rolled over several times, rescuers said yesterday.

Their mother died after the vehicle went over a cliff on Perkins Memorial Drive in Bear Mountain State Park.

The 2003 Honda Odyssey plummeted as if it were "catapulted off the mountain, not like it had just fallen," Stony Point Fire Chief Chris Huslinger said yesterday.

"The crew was amazed that the kids made it out," Huslinger said. "They were amazed anyone had made it."

Ariana Han, 5, and her 3-year-old sister, Etana, were treated at Nyack Hospital and released to their grandparents because their father was being interviewed by police, Love said yesterday.

"It was lucky the children were belted," Love said. "That's what saved them."

[Guest]

6-15-06 photos from WABC TV NY

Edited June 16, 2006 by hoss

[Guest]

photos from WABC TV NY: 6-15-06

Edited June 16, 2006 by hoss

[Guest]

photo from WABC TV NY: 6-15-06

Edited June 16, 2006 by hoss