Massachusetts teenager dies on Utah hike

July 18, 2006

MOAB, Utah --A 16-year-old Massachusetts girl hiking with other teenagers near Canyonlands National Park in 110-degree heat was found dead in a side canyon, the San Juan County sheriff's office said Tuesday.

The girl, whose name was not released, was participating in a three-week-long Outward Bound program when she died Sunday. Representatives of Outward Bound said she was from the Boston area.

As five people were nearing the Colorado River, she had lagged behind to wait for another hiker, the sheriff's office said. The other hiker reached the group, but the Massachusetts girl did not show up.

After about five hours, the victim was found up a small side canyon, about a quarter-mile from the park's boundary, the sheriff's office said.

"It was heavy brush they were walking through. She may have been trying to find an easier path, but that's only speculation," said Mickey Freeman, president of Outward Bound Wilderness. "There was no evidence of foul play."

An autopsy was planned.

The girl had passed a medical screening before joining the program, Outward Bound said.

Outward Bound canceled the remaining five days of the program, which included hiking, climbing and rafting. There were 13 other people participating, ages 16-18.

Canyonlands National Park is about 200 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.

http://www.outwardboundwilderness.org/

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