Andy Garcia-Rivera, director of environmental health and safety at Cornell, issued the following statement in response to an incident that occurred earlier today:

"This morning an emergency call was made to Cornell Police after a passerby observed what appeared to be a body lying at the bottom of Cascadilla Gorge near the footbridge behind Hollister Hall. This call triggered a full emergency response involving Cornell Police, Cornell Environmental Health and Safety's 418 team, Ithaca Fire Department, Ithaca Police and Bangs Ambulance. I am writing to express my outrage to those responsible for this highly insensitive prank, which resulted in unnecessary risk-taking by emergency response personnel.

"These dedicated public servants had to drive their response vehicles at high speed with emergency sirens on wintry roads; Ithaca Fire Department personnel rappelled into an icy gorge only to find out that the 'victim' was a hoax. Not only were emergency personnel put at risk because of this stunt, but the entire community was endangered, since a real emergency situation could have occurred during the time that five response teams were investigating the hoax.

"The person or persons responsible for this event should realize that this hoax is not a joking matter. A lot of people put their lives on the line today. Was it necessary for them to do so? Absolutely not. Whoever performed this hoax should be ashamed."

Cornell Police are investigating the incident. Persons with any information are asked to contact the department at 255-1111.