Friend of Albion Falls victim speaks

Toronto photographer Michael Lane was killed when he fell from the edge of the escarpment near Albion Falls earlier this month and his friend, who had to be rescued that day, is upset the city hasn’t done more since the tragedy to keep people safe.

On Saturday June 10th Blake Zimmernan, Lane and other friends went to Albion Falls to scout locations for Cosplay shoots.

Zimmerman says he, Lane, and another friend walked down what they thought was a well used trail, just beyond the viewing platform, not knowing how steep the drop was at the end.

“We did not go over any fence, we did not go over barricades, no signs said don’t go down here. We followed what we thought was a path.”

It didn’t take them long to get into trouble.

“My other friend came down to join me on my level, because he didn’t feel secure with his footing. He went to turn Michael to stop at that point, and that’s when he fell. Fell straight off the cliff and I heard a rush of leaves and the sound down below.”

Zimmerman and his other friend couldn’t do anything. They were trapped.

“We found out about his passing while we were waiting for rescue ourselves, because we couldn’t get back up, and it all started with us taking what we thought was a path.”

Zimmerman says too many people are falling and the city needs to do more.

“I’m missing a friend, can’t get that back, can’t change it, all because the city didn’t put up signs or a fence.”

Michael Lane was only 23.