NEW HAVEN -- A man whose body was recovered at the base of West Rock Park was dancing close to the edge before his fall, sources tell FOX 61.
The man fell from the south overlook Sunday afternoon. Police say his death is believed to be accidental.
On Tuesday, the victim was identified as 26-year-old Robert Anastasio, of Hamden.
Firefighters from the special services unit of New Haven Fire Department recovered the body around 9 a.m. Monday.
"He is about 300 feet directly below the south overlook. That point is about 400 feet so where he is to the base is another 100 feet at a minimum, and then there is a slow it steep pitch that goes up to the base of West Rock," said Matthew Marcarelli, Operations Chief New Haven Fire Department
"In the area of the South Overlook, a metal fence and a stone wall keeps people away from the cliff edge, but it is easy enough for people to climb over the fence or walk around the stone wall. Rock climbing at West Rock while legal, is not recommended due to the unstable condition of the rock face," said Thomas Ebersold, who has been maintaining the trails at West Rock Ridge State Park since 2007.
Witnesses called 911 around 5:30 p.m. Sunday to report that a person had fallen from the top of a cliff while hiking. DEEP Environmental Conservation Police, New Haven Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene.
New Haven Fire personnel found the man’s body at the bottom of the cliff. He is described as a white male, but has not yet been identified by police.
