A 17-year-old Utah girl died Friday after falling 30 feet off a “cliff” while hiking with friends on the Moab Rim Trail, authorities said.
Zoe McKinney slipped and fell off the cliff around 4:10 p.m. in the Kane Creek Canyon area, the City of Moab Police Department said.
“Our hearts still ache tremendously for the family and friends of this beautiful young woman,” the department said.
McKinney’s friends called 911 and tried to find a way to get to the spot where the 17-year-old fell, but police said there was no safe way to do so.
DEATH VALLEY RANGERS SAVE HIKERS IN HEROIC RESCUE
Zoe McKinney was hiking with friends in the Kane Creek Canyon area when she fell 30 feet to her death Friday, police said. (Jon G. Fuller/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
First responders ran onto the trail and immediately began working their way to the area where the teen fell.
Rescuers rappelled down to the teen using harnesses and rope climbing equipment. Upon reaching the teenager, they determined that she had died from the fall. Officers worked for the next two hours to recover her body.
The Grand County School District confirmed in a statement that the teen who died in the fall was McKinney, a high school student.
“Zoe was a remarkable student and we will honor her memory for the remainder of this senior year,” the district said, adding that therapists will be available at the school Monday as the school community grieves.
CALIFORNIA HIKER, 22, FOUND DEAD AT BASE OF CLIFF IN APPARENT ACCIDENT
McKinney’s friends told FOX13 Salt Lake City that she was a cheerleader with “a big heart” and remembered her as a “very loving friend.”
“She was working on getting her EMT license, because that’s all she wanted to do was help people,” said Iryss, a friend of McKinney’s.
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Moab Police Chief Jared Garcia said in a statement that he hopes the community will support each other and the McKinney family during this time.
“We recognize the devastating impact the loss of a beloved young woman and friend has on this small community, but we know that the wonderful people of Moab will come together to support and comfort her family and friends at this time,” Garcia said.
