Mom collapses and dies while hiking with young daughters and husband, Arizona cops say
A mother collapsed and died while hiking an Arizona trail with her husband and young daughters, deputies say.
The family of four, who was visiting from Pennsylvania, was trekking the HiLine Trail in Sedona on Friday, June 14, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said in a June 17 Facebook post.
Deputies said the 44-year-old mother “passed out on the trail,” where temperatures were predicted to reach 98 degrees Fahrenheit.
Another hiker tried to help the woman before rescuers arrived, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies said Sedona Fire officials “continued life saving measures, but unfortunately it was too late.”
Based on interviews with the woman’s two young daughters and husband, deputies said they believe “she suffered heat exhaustion and was not treated” quickly enough.
Foul play is not suspected in the woman’s death, according to deputies.
Deputies urged hikers to be cautious if they plan to visit the Red Rock desert area during the summer months.
“The temperatures can be much hotter on trails that are along the rocks and have little shade,” the sheriff’s office said.
HiLine Trail, a “challenging” 9.1-mile trail stretching through Coconino National Forest, usually takes just under four hours to complete, according to the hiking website AllTrails.
Beating the heat
When temperatures are extremely high, some people’s bodies can have trouble regulating temperature.
In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If heat exhaustion persists for too long, however, it can lead to heatstroke, the most serious form of heat injury. People experiencing heatstroke can have hot, red, dry or damp skin. They also can have a fast and strong pulse, and they can become confused. People should move indoors immediately and call 911 right away if they have symptoms.
If people choose to hike or be outdoors in dangerously hot temperatures, officials recommend the following tips:
Carry and drink plenty of water and plan to replenish electrolytes.
Eat twice as much food as normal and have salty foods on hand.
Carry a first-aid kit.
Pack essentials only.
Bring a flashlight with spare batteries to hike during the cool evening.
Spray yourself with water to cool down.
Have a hat and sunscreen as protection from the sun.
Have a whistle or signal for emergency use.
Wear waterproof clothing.
This story was originally published June 18, 2024 at 11:14 AM with the headline "Mom collapses and dies while hiking with young daughters and husband, Arizona cops say."
