KANE COUNTY, UTAH: Friday's rock climbing accident in Big Cottonwood Canyon claimed the life of a 34-year-old woman from Utah, while her 30-year-old boyfriend sustained injuries. According to authorities, the woman, identified as Kaitlyn Brann, tragically fell in the Southern Mountain area at around 6 o'clock in the evening.
Brann and her boyfriend were hiking together when they both slipped. The man's identity has not been disclosed. Authorities were alerted around 7 pm by an individual who witnessed the fall but was unable to reach the precise location where the incident occurred, as reported by ABC 4.
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Kaitlyn Brann of Park City was declared dead
The police dispatched a drone and search and rescue teams to locate the boulder climbers who had fallen. The Unified Police stated that they encountered difficulties accessing the areas, which delayed emergency personnel in reaching them. After some time, the crews discovered the two climbers. Sadly, Kaitlyn Brann of Park City was declared deceased. Her boyfriend was airlifted to the hospital and is currently in stable condition, recovering from his injuries.
"I will never see her again, and that breaks my heart," expressed Kaitlyn's brother, Dylan Brann, during an interview with the outlet. "I don't know if my mom will ever recover from this." Dylan received a call from his parents informing him about the tragic fall just as he was retiring to bed. He described Kaitlyn as someone who had "an enthusiasm for life" and emphasized that her impact on people's lives will endure even after she has passed away.
"I joke that if you knew my sister, it meant you were broken, but it also meant she probably helped fix you," said Dylan Brann. He added that the boyfriend, who was injured in the incident, was the love of Kaitlyn's life. "She unfortunately passed away while doing something she loved, with someone she loved. So, you know, I think that's maybe the one silver lining I can find in this tragedy," shared Dylan.
'The hikers were actually very well-prepared for the situation'
With no further details yet revealed about the incident, officials maintain that the two hikers were well-prepared. "It's important to note that the hikers were actually very well-prepared for the situation, considering the elements. Unfortunately, this was the outcome," explained Unified Police Detective, Aymee Race in an interview with the outlet.
Citing officials, Fox News reported that rocks and debris may shift easily due to the melting of a significant snowpack, urging climbers to take precautions before venturing into the outdoors. The report also mentioned that detectives were unsure if there was snow present in the area where the pair was climbing. "This is a particularly dangerous time to hike due to the abundance of snow and the subsequent melting water, which can cause rocks to shift easily," Race cautioned.
