A New Jersey man is fighting for his life after a cliff-jumping accident during what was meant to be a dream vacation in Italy with his fiancée.
Jacob Fleig, 22, suffered critical injuries on October 5 after falling while cliff-jumping along the Amalfi Coast, one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations. The Berlin Township, Camden County, resident had been traveling with his fiancée, Olivia, shortly after proposing to her.
“Jake and Liv are two of my daughter’s closest friends. They are absolutely lovely humans with tremendous hearts. Jake proposed to Liv the day before this horrible accident,” a close friend of Fleig and his family wrote in a social media statement.
According to the Sahara Reporter, Italy’s ANSA news agency reported that Fleig had jumped from an estimated height of 30 meters—nearly 100 feet—at Fiordo di Furore beach.
Fiordo di Furore is known for its dramatic cliffs and narrow strip of shoreline along the Amalfi Coast.
The report said Fleig was taken to a hospital in Castiglione di Ravello before being airlifted by helicopter to Salerno following the fall.
Italian authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, and the exact details have not yet been confirmed.
Jimmy Dorner, Fleig’s brother, said he remains in intensive care.
Jacob Fleig, 22, is fighting for his life after a cliff-jumping fall during a dream vacation on the Amalfi Coast with his fiancée.
Fleig, a Berlin Township, Camden County, resident, was vacationing with his fiancée, Olivia (left), after recently proposing to her.
According to the Sahara Reporter, Italy’s ANSA news agency said Fleig had jumped an estimated 30 meters, or nearly 100 feet, at Fiordo di Furore beach.
“During this time, in the ICU, he has undergone numerous lifesaving procedures and surgeries,” Dorner wrote in a statement.
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“Currently, our main priority is getting him medically stable and strong enough to be transported back to America, where he can continue with future surgeries, therapy, and ongoing care,” Dorner wrote.
Following the accident, Dorner and other family members launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the cost of Fleig’s medical transport to the United States.
“Jacob is a light in every life he encounters. His joyous, humorous, and charismatic personality are the first things everyone notices about him. Jacob has persevered through many adversities in life and has always come out a stronger man,” Dorner wrote on the fundraiser.
The Daily Mail has contacted Fleig’s mother, Kim Marie Fleig, and his brother Jimmy for comment.
Friends of Kim have also shared messages of support and prayers for her son’s recovery.
“This is my very good friend’s son Jake. I have known my friend Kim since we were 13 years old. I’ve known Jake since he was in my friend Kim’s belly…” family friend Dawn Calascione wrote in a Facebook statement.
“Unfortunately, I can’t be in Italy to support my friend, but I’m going to put this out to everyone as I try to support her/Jake here in the United States.”
Close friends of Fleig’s mother, Kim, (center) have shared messages of support and prayers for her son’s recovery.
Since the accident, Dorner and his family have started a GoFundMe fundraiser for financial support to help Fleig’s medical transport back to the US and his recovery
The Amalfi Coast tourist destination has been famously known for steep cliffside views and its narrow sea shoreline
Dorner and his family have raised over $45K of their $50K fundraiser goal.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Salerno Police Headquarters and the Italian News Agency ANSA for comments and additional details as the investigation is ongoing.