santos

Jenny Santos, 29, fell to her death at the World Trade Center Oculus Saturday morning.

(Courtesy of Bergen County Rowing Academy)

JERSEY CITY -- The woman who fell to her death from an escalator at the World Trade Center Oculus was a beloved rowing instructor and Kearny High School graduate.

Jenny Santos, 29, fell from the escalator to the main concourse at about 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, authorities said. Sources said Santos was reaching for her twin sister's hat when she lost her balance.

Santos graduated from Kearny High School in 2006 and was a member of the school's rowing team. She studied physical education at William Paterson University and became an instructor at Bergen County Rowing Academy last spring.

"It's really tragic and hard to believe," said Clemens Reinke, a coach at the academy.

Reinke said he first met Santos when she was rowing at Kearny High School. He described her as a "good rower" and a woman "very much into sports." Santos instructed high school students at rowing academy, where her students are devastated by her loss, he said.

"She was always very encouraging, and gentle and caring with our athletes," Reinke said. "I know they are missing her greatly."

Along with being a rowing instructor, Reinke said Santos was a substitute teacher and loved traveling with her two sisters.

Santos was brought to Bellevue Hospital after the early morning fall where she was pronounced dead.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.