At approximately 1:06 p.m. on December 22, 2023, troopers from State Police Ellenville were dispatched to Minnewaska State Park in the Town of Rochester for reports of an injured hiker.

Initial investigation reveals that Nur Aisyah Binte MD Akbar, 39, and her husband Abdul Rauf Bin Mohd Said, 41, both of Singapore, were hiking on Beacon Hill Trail when they stopped to take photos at the edge of the cliff. Binte MD Akbar lost her footing and fell off the cliff, approximately 70 feet. Bin Mohd Said contacted 911.

NYSP Aviation was called in to hoist the victim to safety. Other responding agencies who assisted in the rescue included NYS Park Police, Park Operations Staff, NYS DEC Forest Rangers and various Fire and EMT personnel. Binte MD Akbar was transported to Ellenville Regional Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The incident remains under investigation.