Magdalena's family launches website

12-year-old girl from Bronx drowned while on hike



By Lisa Flynn

NIAGARA FALLS, NY (WIVB) - It's been one year since a 12-year-old girl from the Bronx drowned while on a hike near in the Niagara Gorge.

A handful of people re-traced the path Magdalena Lubowska and a group of children walked on that fateful hike that ultimately ended in her death.

Magdalena's aunt, Marta Lubowska and her attorney were among the handful of people who walked down into the Niagara Gorge at Whirlpool State Park to mark the one year anniversary of Magdalena's death. Magdalena accidentally slipped into the swirling rapids while on a hike with the group.

There was only one tour guide for 20 children, the 23-year-old son of the operator of an unlicensed camp that sponsored the childrens' visit.

Magdalena's aunt dropped flowers into the water in memory of her short life.

Marta Lubowska said, "I want to be here as much as I can just to be here with her. I know she's everywhere. She's always with me, but this is a special place for me. I promise to myself and I promise to her that people who are responsible and involved, they will pay for every little mistake they made."

Magdalena's family has set the legal wheels in motion to sue the City of Niagara Falls, Niagara County, and New York State.

Magdalena's family has also launched a website to help raise awareness about overnight and day camp safety.

A Niagara County Injustice? Family Wants Answers

(WKBW.com/Channel 7 ABC) -- The family of a 12-year-old girl who fell and died in the Niagara Gorge last year says they are not getting any answers from the Niagara County District Attorney. The death was accidental, but it happened when the girl was under the care of what officials call an illegal bed-and-breakfast/summer camp. Magdalena Lubowska was killed, swept away by the rapids, in the gorge. She was there during a field trip with some 20 other kids enrolled in the so-called camp but only 1 supervisor was present.

Magdalena's family wants criminal charges filed against the operator of that camp, Eva Hedges, who allegedly has skipped town. Eyewitness News also followed Magdalena's aunt in her search for answers but is the Niagara County District Attorney not helping? Click on the video link to watch the exclusive story.

Memorial walk planned for August 13 in Niagara, NY

AUGUST 11, 2009 (NIAGARA, NY) – 12-year-old Magdalena Lubowska of the Bronx, NY, drowned last August at Niagara Falls’ Whirlpool State Park while attending the unlicensed overnight camp, Renaissance House, allegedly still operated by Eva and Timothy Hedges of Niagara, NY.

Last August, then-23-year-old Timothy Hedges, the lone adult guide for Magdalena and at least 20 other children, led his charges into a treacherous area near the lower run-off of Niagara Falls, far from the safety of a beaten path. “[He] was not a professional tour guide,” said State Parks Police Lt. Patrick Moriarty. According to neighbors and local sources, a criminal investigation is pending.

Marking the one-year anniversary of Magdalena’s death this week, her family and their attorney-spokesperson Gus Michael Farinella are organizing a memorial walk and vigil in Niagara to commemorate her passing. The public is invited to accompany the family on the entirety or a portion of the route, which begins at 12 noon in front of Renaissance House at 722 Fourth Street, and follows the exact path the campers took, down the stairwells to the river at Whirlpool State Park (Mapquest.com link).

To quote independent aquatic safety specialist Dr. Tom Griffiths’ opinion report on the incident, after a personal inspection of the crime scene: “While the park materials inform hikers how to access the trail system, little information is provided regarding the many and varied dangers located within the Niagara Gorge Trail System. Conspicuous by their absence are strong statements explaining that a fall in the river will most probably be fatal. The trails that descend down the rim are in fact very difficult, arduous, unmaintained, narrow and unsafe…prior to the Lubowska tragedy, there were absolutely no warning signs or other layers of protection, like handrails, in place…the large, flat rocks at the river’s edge slope toward the water, making it easy for anyone to fall in the river.”

To further honor Magdalena’s life, this website (SafeSummers.org) has been launched to help raise awareness of overnight and day-camp safety.

This website also contains information on how to make contributions in Magdalena’s memory.