Woman dies in hiking accident in Big Cottonwood Canyon

May 14, 2023, 10:30 AM | Updated: May 15, 2023, 10:50 am

Unified police...

Unified Police arrested a 25-year-old man wanted for questioning in California in connection to several rape cases. Photo credit: Unified Police

SALT LAKE CITY — A hiking accident Friday evening in Big Cottonwood Canyon claimed the life of a 34-year-old woman.

Det. Amee Race, of Unified Police Department, says the accident occurred in the Storm Mountain area. She says a call came in around 7 p.m. of two hikers who had fallen.

Drones were used to locate the two hikers. Race says due to tough terrain in the area of the mountain it took some time for Search and Rescue to reach them.

The victim has been identified as Kaitlyn Brann, of Park City. Race says she passed away on scene. Her hiking partner, a 30-year-old male, was transported by LifeFlight to an area hospital. He is expected to survive.

Race wasn’t sure if snow was in the area at the time.

“I can’t say if there was actual snow,” she said. “…. This is a very dangerous time to hike due to the amount of snow. There is a lot of melting water, and the rocks can shift very easily. It’s important to note, the hikers were actually very prepared for the situation.” 

The identity of the male involved in the hiking accident was not released. 

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Woman dies in hiking accident in Big Cottonwood Canyon