Teen Joins New York Fire Department After Rescue

A teenager who had to be rescued after he fell off a western New York cliff last year has joined the fire department that helped bring him to safety.

Andrew Carriero of Gowanda was hunting last November in the gorge at Zoar Valley, in his hometown 30 miles south of Buffalo, when he slid 400 feet down a cliff. Darkness and the rising waters of Cattaraugus Creek kept rescuers from getting him out of the gorge until 17 hours later.

Carriero suffered leg and head injuries but has since recovered.

Buffalo media outlets report that the 19-year-old has joined the Gowanda Fire Department, one of the agencies involved in his rescue.

Carriero on Sunday attended a training session in suburban Buffalo that included rescue techniques used to save his life.