CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. - A 9-year-old girl who was on a family outing died Thursday when she fell from a trail at Chimney Rock Park.



Kyle A. Kroll, 9, of Charlotte, died from injuries she sustained in a fall about 4 p.m., said to Shane Earley, Rutherford County coroner.



Earley, who investigated the incident, said the family had just moved to Charlotte four days earlier from Michigan. They were on a family outing for the day and were hiking on "Cliff Trail," one of the park's main trails. Before anyone noticed, the girl worked her way around the opposite side of a barricade, Earley said.

"The moment her aunt noticed this, the girl slipped and fell," he said. She was killed instantly when she fell about 150 to 200 feet, he said.

Todd Morse, president and general manager of Chimney Rock Co., was on the scene soon after the accident occurred.

"Park EMTs were the first ones on the scene. We attempted to render aid until further help arrived. We called Hickory Nut Gorge EMS. But there was nothing we could do. "Park employees are very devastated by this event. Everyone extends their condolences to the family," he said.

Chimney Rock Park was closed Wednesday during the rain. It reopened Thursday. Morse said the "safety of the park was not in question."

The park has an ongoing safety program. Following the rains "we did a more thorough inspection of trails to ensure the safety of our visitors," he said. The park will be open today, he said.