Woman dies near Quail Creek State Park in fourth Utah heat-related hiking death this month

Quail Creek State Park is pictured on April 7, 2021. A 56-year-old woman died on a trail near the park in southwest Utah in what is believed to be another heat-related illness death in the state's outdoors.

Quail Creek State Park is pictured on April 7, 2021. A 56-year-old woman died on a trail near the park in southwest Utah in what is believed to be another heat-related illness death in the state's outdoors. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)


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HURRICANE — A 56-year-old woman died on a trail near a state park in southwest Utah in what is believed to be another heat-related illness death in the state's outdoors.

Emergency crews responded Sunday to a report that a hiker "in distress" near Quail Creek State Park, Hurricane police said in a statement Monday. Crews arrived to the trail to find the hiker "unresponsive."

After attempting life-saving measures at the scene, the hiker was pronounced dead. The woman's name has not yet been released.

It also wasn't clear when the call was received, but police said it was 106 degrees Fahrenheit at the time and the hiker did not have enough water.

The incident comes after two high-profile heat-related cases at other Utah outdoor spots this month.

A 30-year-old woman hiking in Snow Canyon State Park with her parents died on July 13 from a heat-related illness as temperatures exceeded 110 degrees in Washington County that day. Her parents were last listed in critical condition.

A father and daughter from Wisconsin died at Canyonlands National Park on July 12 after park rangers say they had become lost and ran out of water in the heat.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox referenced these incidents on Friday when he urged people to recreate safely for the upcoming Pioneer Day holiday.

"We've seen some tragedies in southern Utah because of the extreme heat," he said. "People who are hiking: Make sure you are well-hydrated, wear lots of sunscreen and you dress appropriately for the weather conditions."

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Carter Williams is an award-winning reporter for KSL.com. He covers Salt Lake City news, as well as statewide transportation issues, outdoors, environment and weather. Carter has worked in Utah news for over a decade and is a graduate of Southern Utah University.
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