New Jersey Man Critically Injured in Cliff-Jumping Accident in Italy

A 22-year-old New Jersey man is fighting for his life after a cliff-jumping accident on Italy’s Amalfi Coast on Oct. 5. Jacob Fleig, of Berlin Township, Camden County, sustained critical injuries while vacationing with his fiancée.

Fleig, an engineering student, has undergone multiple surgeries and remains in intensive care in an Italian hospital, according to a GoFundMe campaign established by his brother, Jimmy Dorner. The family's immediate goal is to arrange for Fleig's medical transport back to the United States for further care.

Details regarding the specifics of the accident or the extent of Fleig's fall were not disclosed by his family. Dorner described his brother as a charismatic individual who has a positive impact on those he meets and has demonstrated resilience in overcoming past adversities.

"On behalf of my brother, I am asking for your support, generosity, and prayers; to help with medical bills, medical transport back to the US, and assistance with his care and recovery," Dorner wrote on the fundraising page, which had raised over $45,000 as of Friday evening.

Fleig is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at American Institute, having previously studied biochemistry at Rowan University. The Amalfi Coast, a popular tourist destination, is known for attracting visitors who engage in activities such as cliff-jumping from its rocky heights into the sea, despite the inherent risks. In 2023, a similar incident occurred at Fiordo di Furore, a scenic gorge on the coast, where a woman slipped while contemplating a jump and fell onto the rocks below before entering the water.