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NYC girl survives big fall down chimney

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-02 12:35

NEW YORK - A 12-year-old girl is relatively unscathed after falling 180 feet (55 meters) down a New York City chimney.

Authorities say a 2-foot (0.6-meter) pile of soot and dust cushioned her fall, though both her legs were broken.

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The girl apparently climbed into the chimney Thursday night while playing on the roof of a building in Manhattan. Rescuers found her at the chimney's base in a boiler room.

Fire Lt. Simon Ressner says rescuers had not expected to find her alive and were stunned when she reached her hand out for help.