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PROVO — A woman was killed after sustaining serious head injuries from a fall while hiking Bridal Veil Falls.
Utah County officials received a call around 5:35 p.m. reporting an injured hiker, according to Utah County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Spencer Cannon.
Cannon said the hiker, who originally was identified as a man, fell from the second ledge above Bridal Veil Falls. "We don't know how far (she) fell, but we do know (she's) sustained some serious head injuries," Cannon said.
Search and Rescue and medical personnel responded to the scene. Life Flight was also dispatched, but the woman was not able to be airlifted from the area in the darkness.
The woman's hiking partner stayed with her and relayed information to authorities about her condition, according to Cannon.
"But we don't know a whole lot more about their relationship — (whether they're) friends or they just happened to be in the same area or what," he said.
Cannon said authorities receive roughly half a dozen calls to the area every year with reported injuries.
"Part of the problem is it is accessible, and it's not a highly technical climb, but it's not by any means an 'easy climb', even just to climb to the first level," Cannon said. "There's some danger there, and then when people get there, it's easy to get into a situation where they've gone beyond their skills and abilities and certainly beyond any equipment they have with them."
Cannon noted that the woman's skill level is not known, nor do authorities know if she was free climbing, technical climbing or just hiking.
"But whatever it was, something happened," Cannon said. "Whether it was a slip and fall or an equipment failure, we just don't know yet."
The woman has not yet been identified pending notification of family. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
Video Contributing: Devon Dolan
