A GoFundMe account has been created for Alexis Streifel, in hospital after an accident at Lundbreck Falls. (gofundme.com)

By Chris Brown

GoFundMe

Community quick to support fundraiser for local teen after fall at Lundbreck Falls

Jul 27, 2020 | 10:12 AM

A Redcliff teenager is in Calgary hospital after a horrific accident at Lundbreck Falls, and a fundraiser for her has already exceeded its goal after just one day.

On a road trip that took them to southwestern Alberta, Alexis Streifel, who should be getting ready for her Grade 12 year, and a friend visited the falls about 25 kilometres west of Pincher Creek. Seeing many others jumping off it, Alexis, called a “firecracker” on the GoFundMe post, wanted to do the same.

“She went to jump – thought better of it and tried to turn around – but couldn’t stop herself from the forward momentum. And experienced a most tragic fall. After hitting the rocks on the way down, nearly 40’ below, she somehow managed to stay afloat until her friend pulled her to shore at the bottom of the cliff.”

Paramedics took Alexis to Foothills Hospital, where she is currently in ICU. She suffered spinal fractures, a broken femur, shattered hips, a broken pelvis, shattered knees, a broken foot, broken jaw and lost teeth.

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“She is truly lucky to be alive but she has several years of recovery ahead of her, likely many more surgeries, and it may be September before she can manage to see visitors,” the post reads.

Money raised by the GoFundMe will go to Alexis’ parents to help cover the immediate costs of supporting their daughter in hospital 300 km away and the cost of any modifications to the family that are needed when Alexis returns home.

The fundraiser’s goal was set at $10,000 on Sunday. As of Monday at 10 a.m. 199 people have donated close to $17,000.

The team fundraiser was created by Holly Turnbull, Gabrielle Bow, Lindsay Hawkes, Tammy Willis and Michaela Bell.