Temporary fence put up where girl nearly fell off coastal cliff

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By KATU.com Web Staff

ECOLA STATE PARK, Ore. - A new temporary fence has been installed at a state park viewpoint where a 3-year-old girl slipped between the railings of a fence and nearly fell 150 feet to the rocks below.

The incident, which was captured on video, happened over the summer while the Pitton family and some cousins were enjoying some nice weather at the popular Ecola State Park overlook along Highway 101.

While posing for a photo opportunity with some other children, 3-year-old Alaina Pitton stepped backwards against a fence and suddenly toppled through the gap between the top and bottom fence rails.

She landed just inches from the cliff's precipice and had to grab onto plants to keep from going over the edge.

An adult cousin quickly hopped the fence and helped her. She was not hurt.

The video of the narrowly averted tragedy surfaced earlier this week and by Thursday, a temporary cyclone fence was put up at the viewpoint.

According to Chris Havel with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept., the temporary cyclone fence will be replaced with a permanent fence (that does not obstruct the view) as soon as they can get the materials on hand.

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