Wyoming woman dies after fall in Canyonlands N.P.
by Lisa J. Church
staff writer
Jan 17, 2013 | 2979 views | 0 0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend | print
A Wyoming woman died last weekend after she was injured in a fall at the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park. Janet Wells sustained severe head injuries after apparently slipping on ice and falling approximately 20 feet while hiking on the Big Canyon Springs Trail on Jan. 10, according to Paul Henderson, assistant superintendent of Arches and Canyonlands national parks. Wells was transported by medical helicopter to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo., where she died on Jan. 12.

Wells was found unconscious at the base of a cliff at approximately 1:20 p.m. by another visitor to the park, according to an incident report. That person ran back to the park’s visitor center for help and NPS workers launched a search-and-rescue effort, according to the report. San Juan County Emergency Medical Services and the San Juan Sheriff’s Officer also assisted in the effort.

Information about Wells’ age was unavailable at press time.

According to the report, Wells was apparently hiking alone when she attempted to descend a snow-covered sandstone ledge and lost her footing. Henderson said the accident was most likely the result of ice on the trails and rocks.

“I think it is very clear that it had to do with ice on the trail,” he said.

He noted that the parks post signs warning visitors to be careful when trails are icy and dangerous and that information is also available on the park websites.
Share This Article |

Copyright 2013 The Times-Independent. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

report abuse...

Express yourself:

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

Letters may not exceed 400 words in length, must be regarding issues of general interest to the community, and may not include personal attacks, offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or attacks on personal or religious beliefs. Letters should focus on a single issue. Letters that proselytize or focus on theological debates will not be published. During political campaigns, The Times-Independent will not publish letters supporting or opposing any local candidate. Thank you letters are generally not accepted for publication unless the letter has a public purpose. Thank you letters dealing with private matters that compliment or complain about a business or individual will not be published. Nor will letters listing the names of individuals and/or businesses that supported a cause or event. Thank you letters about good Samaritan acts will be considered at the discretion of the newspaper.