82-year-old hiker dies on trail near Stewart Falls despite rescue efforts

SUNDANCE, Utah – An 82-year-old woman died after police said she collapsed while hiking at Stewart Falls, just north of Sundance.

Sgt. Ray Ormond with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office said the woman was hiking with a group when she collapsed at approximately 12 p.m.

Hikers in her group attempted life-saving measures while Search and Rescue Teams, a medical helicopter, and medical personnel were en route.

“Medical personnel rapidly hiked into her location and took over efforts,” Ormond said.

Jon, an oral surgeon from South Dakota who declined to share his last name, said he came upon the scene and the woman’s friends shortly after she collapsed.

“It’s a beautiful area, beautiful trail — but it’s fairly rough. A sobering thing that happened,” Jon said. “We were very impressed with how quickly others stepped in and used their training with the tools we had. Of course, we wish the outcome was different… We really feel for her friends and her family.”

Despite nearly 30 minutes of CPR, Jon said the woman showed no signs of cardiac activity.

Utah County Search and Rescue, along with North Fork Fire and EMS and Life Flight, responded to the scene and assisted in recovering the woman’s body from the mountain.

The incident occurred on a relatively flat section of the trail, which allowed rescuers enough space to perform CPR. The trail remained open to the public during the recovery, though part of the area was temporarily closed off.

Deputies said the woman had pre-existing medical conditions and was under a doctor’s care. As a result, the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office will not conduct an autopsy.

Ormond said they do not believe the woman’s death was heat-related, though they acknowledge that weather and trail conditions can be contributing factors.

Officials are reminding hikers to take necessary precautions, especially during the summer months, and to always hike with others, carry water, and be aware of their physical limits.