Glenburn teen dies in fall from bluff

CLIFTON – A Glenburn teenager died early Saturday morning from injuries suffered in an accidental fall from Parks Pond Bluff.

Joshua Allen McKay, 16, was among a group of youths staying overnight at a campsite in Clifton when he fell about 2 a.m. while trying to put out a small fire in a wooded area below the bluff, according to state police.

The fire was ignited by a firecracker one of the youths tossed off the top of the hill, according to an incident report filed by Trooper Darren Vittum.

McKay fell an estimated 150 feet. He was pronounced dead at the accident scene, according to a state police dispatcher.

Because of the dark and rugged conditions, it took three hours for rescuers from Brewer, Eddington and Holden to reach McKay’s body.

At the time of his death, McKay was a sophomore at Brewer High School, where school officials met Sunday to prepare to break the news to the school community.

Brewer High Principal James Frost said that McKay was well-liked.

“He was a very, very friendly kid and he had a lot of friends,” Frost said.

Staff in the school’s outdoor education program, which McKay very much enjoyed, were especially saddened by the boy’s death, which came five days after his 16th birthday.

The school’s crisis team as well as local clergy and counselors will be available to assist grieving students today.

Frost said students would be informed of the tragedy and that quiet space and emotional support would be available to students who need them.

He also said students who wanted to attend McKay’s funeral, at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Brookings-Smith Funeral Home’s Clark-Piper Chapel in Brewer, would be permitted to do so, with written permission from their parents or guardians.