A tragic accident unfolded at Minnewaska State Park near Kerhonkson in Ulster County, New York when a tourist from Singapore fell off a cliff and succumbed to her injuries.
On December 22, 2023, Nur Aisyah Binte MD Akbar, 39, was hiking with her spouse, Abdul Rauf Bin Mohd Said, 41 on Beacon Hill Trail within the park.
The Singaporean couple was near the edge of the cliff, taking photos when Binte MD Akbar lost her balance and fell approximately 70 feet. The incident was reported to have occurred shortly after 1 p.m. local time. Bin Mohd Said quickly called for emergency services following his wife’s fall.
New York State Police responded to the 911 call, along with several other agencies including State Park police, park operations staff, state DEC Forest Rangers, and local emergency medical technicians.
Assisted by the State Police’s aviation unit, Binte MD Akbar was hoisted from her landing spot. Despite the concerted attempts by medical personnel to resuscitate her over a nearly three-hour period, she was pronounced dead at Ellenville Regional Hospital.
Expressing his sorrow via a Facebook post, Bin Mohd Said stated they were enjoying the scenic view before the tragic event unfolded, expressing that he wished he could have taken his wife’s place.
The couple, who co-founded a real estate investment firm, frequently traveled to the US for business. Binte MD Akbar was fondly remembered by her spouse as an individual with a deep love for animals and a caring spirit towards those around her.
Minnewaska State Park, situated in upstate New York’s Shawangunk Mountains, is a favored destination for various outdoor activities such as autumn leaves viewing, hiking, biking, and rock climbing.
