While hiking in Grand County, Utah, a 17-year-old girl Zoe McKinney died after falling.
Around 4:10 pm on Friday, the youngster was hiking the Moab Rim Trail with a group of friends in the Kane Creek Canyon region when she slipped and fell 30 feet off a sheer face cliff, according to Moab Police.
Her friends attempted to reach her by calling 911, but they were unable to do so in a secure manner.
Along with other first responders, search and rescue teams responded immediately. They utilised harnesses and climbing equipment to rappel down to the teen.
By the time they got to her, the girl had already passed away from the fall, and rescuers had to spend the next two hours finding her body, according to the police.
Although the reason for the girl’s loss of balance is unknown, Moab Assistant Police Chief Lex Bell told KSL that the young woman was “too close to the edge” in a challenging hiking region.
Moab Police Chief Jared Garcia expressed his department’s sincere condolences to the victim’s family and friends.
“We recognize the divesting impact the loss of a beloved young woman and friend has in this small community, but know that wonderful people of Moab will band together to support and comfort her family and friends at this time,” he added.