Briar Cliff University student, 20, dies after plunging 100 feet off a cliff on popular Arkansas hiking trail while posing for a photo
- Andrea Norton, 20, died on Saturday when she accidentally fell from a rock formation in Ozark–St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas
- She had been re-positioning herself for a photo when she plunged 100 feet
- The rock formation that she fell from, Hawksbill Crag, is considered one of Arkansas' most-photographed hiking areas
- Norton, an environmental science major at Iowa's Briar University, was hiking with her classmates at the time
Andrea Norton, 20, died on Saturday when she accidentally fell from a rock formation within the Ozark–St. Francis National Forest when she tried to re-position herself for the picture
A 20-year-old Briar Cliff University student has died after plunging 100 feet off a cliff on a popular Arkansas hiking trail while posing for a photo.
Andrea Norton was fatally injured on Saturday when she accidentally fell from a rock formation within the Ozark–St. Francis National Forest when she tried to re-position herself for the picture.
Police said Norton fell off the Hawksbill Crag, which is a popular hiking destination and rock formation in the forest near Jasper.
The Crag is widely considered one of Arkansas' most-photographed hiking areas, according to authorities.
Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said Norton had been hiking with a group of her Iowa college classmates when the accident occurred.
Several people have died in falls there in recent years, according to the sheriff.
Also known as Whitaker Point, the rocky outcrop gets its name because it resembles a hawk's bill.
Norton was an environmental science major at Briar University and was a member of the school's volleyball team and symphony choir.
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Police said Norton fell off the Hawksbill Crag, which is a popular hiking destination and rock formation in the forest near Jasper. It is considered one of Arkansas' most-photographed hiking areas
Norton was an environmental science major at Briar University and was a member of the school's volleyball team and symphony choir
'Andrea was a passionate environmental science major, exemplary student and dedicated athlete,' the university said in a statement following news of her death.
'She lived BCU's values in everything she did from the classroom to the court and everywhere she went.
'Andrea made a tremendous impact on the BCU community and everyone she met and will be greatly missed.'
Norton, who was raised in Hot Springs, South Dakota, was the eldest of two children
Norton was an environmental science major and in her third year at Briar University in Iowa. The school held a memorial for her on Saturday following news of her death
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Norton, who was raised in Hot Springs, South Dakota, was the eldest of two children and leaves behind her parents Mark and Tamera and younger brother Matt, according to her obituary.
Her death comes as a Fordham University student in New York also died trying to get a photograph.
Sydney Monfries, 22, died on Sunday after breaking into the Bell Tower at the university's campus with a group of friends in the early hours of the morning.
She reportedly wanted to get a picture of the skyline for social media. She plunged 40ft to her death inside the clock tower.
Norton's funeral is scheduled to be held in her hometown of Hot Springs on Friday.
Sydney Monfries, 22, (pictured) died on Sunday after breaking into the Bell Tower at the university's campus with a group of friends in the early hours of the morning
