Vehicle topples 300 feet over cliff

FRONT ROYAL -- A vehicle went over an embankment Tuesday afternoon at Gooney Run Overlook on Skyline Drive.

The vehicle landed an estimated 300 feet down from the overlook, according to National Park Service District Ranger Dixon Freeland.

Park rangers made contact with the woman and reported she was alert and oriented, Freeland said.

A total of 17 rescue and emergency services personnel descended on foot and brought the driver up the mountain in a Stokes stretcher.

The unidentified female driver was taken to Warren Memorial Hosptial after an initial examination showed she suffered minor injuries, Freeland said.

Following an investigation, the National Park Service will recover the vehicle, Freeland said.

"We are completely in the rescue mode now," Freeland said.

There were no eyewitnesses to the incident, but Freeland said authorities believe the woman called 911 from her cell phone after driving off the overlook.

The Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue received the call around 2:20 or 2:25 p.m. and was on the scene by 2:40 or 2:45 p.m, according to Chief Richard E. Mabie.

The National Park Service, Warren County and Front Royal emergency services crews all responded.

Daily Staff Report