A seventeen-year-old girl from Utah lost her life on Friday during an afternoon hike. Zoe McKinney fell off a cliff to her death while hiking with her friends on the Moab Rim Trial in the Kane Creek Canyon in Utah. McKinney was walking very close to the cliff face when she fell to her death, according to details published to the public by the Moab Police Department.
The police reported that McKinney was walking close to the cliff face when she slipped and fell about thirty feet off the cliff to her death. Although her friends immediately called 911 to get help from authorities, it was too late. There was also no safe way for her friends to climb down the cliff to check on their friend to see if she was all right or if she was mortally wounded by the fall.
Rescuers arrived on the scene and spent two hours climbing down the cliff face. After two grueling hours of work, they were eventually able to recover the fallen teen’s body. She was already dead by the time the rescuers arrived to check on her.
“The Moab Police Department wants to extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends,” Moab Police chief Jared Garcia said. “We recognize the devastating impact the loss of a beloved young woman and friend has in this small community, but know that the wonderful people of Moab will band together to support and comfort her family and friends at this time.”
A few hours after her death was confirmed, McKinney’s school district sent a note to all students and staff in the school system informing them that the teenager had died during the Utah hike.
“The purpose of this statement is to inform you that this afternoon a 17-year-old high school student, Zoe McKinney, passed away,” the Grand County School District said in a statement. “The school community is grieving with Zoe’s family and will provide love and support in any way we can, including having therapists available at school on Monday. Zoe was a remarkable student, and we will honor her memory throughout the remainder of this senior year.”
McKinney’s death has left many stunned in her community, as she was known for being an active and ambitious young woman who enjoyed the outdoors. McKinney attended Grand County High School, where she had a bright future ahead of her. Her friends and family are devastated by this tragic loss but hope that her memory will live on through her friends and family and her community.
The Moab Police Department is still investigating the accident, but it appears that no foul play was involved. McKinney’s death has been determined to be an unfortunate and tragic accident. The police department also issued a statement asking people to be careful when hiking in areas around cliff edges, as they can easily become very dangerous.
Our thoughts are with McKinney’s family and friends during this difficult time. May she rest in peace? Zoe will be greatly missed.