Hiker dies after fall near Aspen

DENVER (KDVR) — A 33-year-old hiker died after falling on Williams Peak near Aspen on Saturday, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office said.

Emergency dispatch received the call about the injured hiker at around 2:13 p.m. According to the caller, the hiker had fallen around 50 to 100 feet onto a rocky area.

The caller described the hiker’s injuries as life-threatening. According to the sheriff’s office, the volunteer rescue team from Mountain Rescue Aspen was mobilized at 2:20 p.m.

Because of the difficult terrain in the area near the climber, a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from the Army National Guard’s High Altitude Aviation Training site was requested. All the medical helicopters in the area were also requested, but some were unable to respond because of weather limitations

A Care Flight of the Rockies helicopter was able to get into the air at around 3:01 p.m. Members of the rescue team were deployed into the field at around 3:29 p.m. and were hoisted by the Army National Guard helicopter down to the area of the injured climber by around 5:10 p.m.

When crews arrived, the hiker had already succumbed to their injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.

In total, 15 members of the Mountain Rescue Aspen team were deployed. The sheriff’s office asked that people “climb with caution” and stay aware of their surroundings and abilities when climbing.

“Accidents can happen to anyone, so be prepared with appropriate first aid and survival gear as rescues take longer than expected,” the sheriff’s office said.

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