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70-year-old woman injured by boulder in Uinta Mountains


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KAMAS — Search and rescue crews rescued a 70-year-old woman after a boulder fell on her while she was hiking in Summit County Monday, officials said.

The woman began hiking at Highline Trail in the Uinta Mountains and was about 100 feet from Hayden Peak when the boulder fell on top of her, according to Lt. Andrew Wright with Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

Wade Meier, a friend who was hiking with her, said he was surprised by what happened. Thanks to split-second thinking and what he partly credited to a miracle, Meier was able to catch the woman.

"Next thing I knew she was coming down in front of me," he said. "Not really sure what happened right then. I think somebody else other than me was there and stopped her, but I reached down and kind of caught her under the arm — which was good because she would have gone a long way had I not caught her."

They managed to find cell service in the remote area and call for help.

Wright said authorities believe the woman suffered a broken femur, as well as injuries to her arm and head.

A medical helicopter hoisted the woman down and she was taken to a hospital via ambulance, authorities said. She was hiking with a group of three friends including her husband, who were also hoisted down via medical helicopter, authorities said.

It was a relief for the group when the helicopters came to the rescue.

"Well, to be honest with you, I cried like a baby when that (helicopter) came," said Paul Richins, the woman’s husband.

Richins said his wife is lucky she wasn’t more injured and credits divine intervention for her safe return.

“I believe that she was blessed that she didn't get hurt any worse than she was," he said. “She got through it. That's why I believe in prayer even more."

Contributing: Andrew Adams, KSL TV

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Lauren Bennett is a reporter with KSL.com who covers Utah’s religious community and the growing tech sector in the Beehive State.

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