An 18-year-old urban explorer is in critical condition after falling about 20 stories from an abandoned grain elevator in Minneapolis on Monday night. The individual, identified as Ash Ranallo, was trespassing inside the disused Checkerboard Grain Elevator with others when the fall occurred around 8:30 p.m., according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Ranallo landed on a beam outside the structure. Minneapolis Fire Department crews used a ladder truck to reach the teen, provided emergency medical care, and transported them to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Sgt. Garrett Parten of the Minneapolis Police Department described the incident as a "bad decision" made while seeking adventure. "It is miraculous that [the teen] is alive," Parten stated.
Ranallo's mother, Nicole Emery, provided an update Tuesday stating that her child's heart stopped for approximately 20 minutes at the hospital. Ranallo underwent an exploratory procedure that resulted in a large incision from the chest to the pelvis and required six to eight units of blood. Additional units of blood have since been administered, and Ranallo is on life support.
As of Wednesday, Ranallo was no longer sedated and pain medication had been significantly reduced, though they have not yet responded to pain or commands. Ranallo is receiving fentanyl and has undergone multiple surgeries, including procedures to insert pins and external braces into both legs, as well as surgery to address internal abdominal bleeding. Doctors have kept the abdomen open with a barrier to avoid repeated surgical closures. A feeding tube has also been placed, and Ranallo sustained a broken collarbone and dislocated shoulder.
Social media posts indicate Ranallo frequently explores abandoned buildings. In one video posted on July 6, Ranallo appeared to be on the roof of a tall building without safety equipment. Ranallo had recently graduated from high school.
Residents near the abandoned grain elevator have reported numerous calls to police over the years regarding people exploring and climbing the structure. "Something terrible in that elevator happened. It's an issue that we knew was going to happen," said local resident Vox Payne. "We've talked about it plenty with the city, and with other neighbors, and with the police, and we kept warning them something terrible is going to happen."
According to Parten, there were about 80 incidents involving urban exploring in the police department's first and second precincts last year. He reiterated that while the individuals are seeking adventure, their actions are illegal and extremely dangerous. Charges for similar incidents in the past have ranged from misdemeanor trespassing to felony damage to property. It is currently unclear if Ranallo will face charges. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
A GoFundMe page has been established to support Ranallo and their family.