Quechee — A misunderstanding between tourists sightseeing from the Quechee Gorge Bridge and a teenager hiking below led to a large police and fire presence at the popular attraction this morning.

Hartford Fire Chief Scott Cooney said his department and several others in the Upper Valley responded to the gorge around 11 a.m. for a report of a climber in distress.

Upon arrival, officials learned that the 13-year-old boy from South Royalton wasn’t in distress but was instead playing near the steep cliffs to the gorge. 

Police and fire officials met up with the boy, who was carrying a skateboard, to ensure he was OK. 

The gorge is a nature park, and the boy had a right to be where he was, Cooney said.