On Saturday, August 12 an unfortunate incident occurred at a steep mountain gully known as the Flying Dutchman couloir, leading to the death of a 21-year-old woman from Severance, Colorado.
Adverse weather conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park delayed the recovery of her body, which was completed the next day.
A 25-year-old man from San Angelo, Texas, who was accompanying her, experienced a 300-foot fall, resulting in serious injuries. Quick interventions by nearby individuals and park rangers ensured his immediate assistance.
A rescue mission, which included 31 personnel and an aircraft from the Colorado Air National Guard, managed to get him to UC Health Medical Center of the Rockies for medical attention.
The National Park Service (NPS) is looking into the incident. Other recent accidents in the park include fatalities involving individuals from Nevada, Colorado, and Louisiana. Additionally, a 64-year-old Texan suffered a 60-foot fall just a day prior but was swiftly attended to and transferred to a medical facility.
The accumulating incidents have sparked concerns regarding visitor safety in the challenging mountain environment, prompting a reevaluation of current safety measures and public awareness strategies. A spokesman for Rocky Mountain National Park said that falling is the number one cause of fatalities and serious injuries in the park.
