10-year-old Oregon boy survives 150-foot fall off of Mt. Hood cliff

Crystal Bonvillian blog.al.com PORTLAND, Oregon – A 10-year-old boy is recovering after falling 150 feet off a Mt. Hood cliff earlier this month. Cole Hancock was hiking with his father, Kim, on July 23 when the incident occurred. KPTV Fox 12 in Oregon reportsthat the duo had set up camp for the night, but decided to go up a hill to snap a few photos from the top. On the way back down, Cole lost his balance and fell, the news station said. He suffered serious injuries, including several skull fractures. Though it took rescuers hours to reach Cole and his father, he survived. His father says, however, that he has some lingering brain damage. Initially, after he awoke, the boy could not speak. By Wednesday, he was speaking in full sentences. "I'm alive," Cole told KPTV on Wednesday. "I can't believe I'm alive." Doctors are hopeful that Cole will fully recover. He remained at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland on Wednesday, but was anticipated to be transferred soon to a different facility to undergo further therapy.