Teenager dies after fall from cliff in S.F.

A teenage girl died Thursday night after falling from the cliffs that line the area around Lands End in San Francisco, an official said.

The girl lost her footing and fell from the top of a steep cliff just east of Lands End around 6:30 p.m., said Lt. Jonathan Baxter, a spokesman for the San Francisco Fire Department.

Sonja L. Hanson, a spokeswoman for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, confirmed the girl died.

The girl landed on the rocks near the surf below, Baxter said. A teenage friend with her, who was not injured, called authorities.

A rising tide and treacherous conditions made it difficult for rescue swimmers to reach the girl in the hazardous area, he said.

They were able to secure her onto a flotation device and moved her through the water to nearby China Beach where an ambulance waited to take her to a trauma center, Baxter said.