Mt. Prospect hiker remains in critical condition after downstate fall

A Southern Illinois University freshman from Mount Prospect remained in critical condition on Wednesday afternoon after falling at least 40 feet from a bluff at a downstate state park earlier this week, officials said.

The student, Jamie Maughan, was walking the nature trail Monday morning with two other students at Giant City State Park when they decided to leave the trail and climb one of the bluffs near the east end of the trail's boardwalk, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Two of the students had hiked ahead and reached the top of bluff before they heard a scream and saw Maughan had fallen approximately 40 to 50 feet, the department said in a news release.

Maughan's friends called 911 at 10:49 a.m., after which emergency responders from the park and nearby Cobden Fire Department and Union County Ambulance Service arrived. Maughan was taken by helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital.

A hospital spokesman said Maughan was still in critical condition late Wednesday.

A District 214 spokeswoman confirmed Maughan was a 2015 graduate of Prospect High School.

Maughan is studying radiologic sciences at Southern Illinois, a university spokeswoman said. The school's website shows Maughan made the fall 2015 dean's list.

She also is a member of the school's Delta Phi Epsilon chapter, where she serves as the sorority's alumnae coordinator, according to the chapter's website. She also was in the color guard in high school.

"Since joining DPhiE, I have made some incredible friendships and so many memories that will last a life time," Maughan wrote in her sorority website biography. "I love knowing that no matter what I do my sisters will always be there to support me."

The state park where Maughan was hiking is about five miles south of Southern Illinois University's Carbondale campus.