JERSEY CITY, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- Authorities on Wednesday said a teenage girl who fell at least 50 feet to her death the night before did so accidentally while trying to retrieve her cell phone.
Officials said 17-year-old Danielle Venhorst's body was found at the base of a cliff on railroad tracks that run parallel to State Highway, also known as Route 139, just after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Photo taken from Venhorst's profile at My Space.com
Her boyfriend, who was the only witness, told police the girl dropped her cell phone and fell while trying to get it.
The two were each drinking a beer while talking on the cliff's ledge, which is not protected by a fence, said Edward DeFazio, Hudson County prosecutor.
``It appears to be an accident, like she just lost her balance,'' DeFazio said.
Venhorst died of blunt force trauma ``consistent with a fall,'' he said.
Venhorst's boyfriend was not under the influence of alcohol when police questioned him later. However, the investigation is ongoing, DeFazio said.
Freight service on the rail line was suspended and State Highway was closed in the area while police and firefighters worked at the scene.
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