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Woman rescued from Longs Peak

Associated Press
Vail, CO Colorado

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK ” A hiker rescued from Longs Peak after she was injured in a 200-foot fall was identified Tuesday as Sheila Townsend of Chaska, Minn.

Townsend, 48, fell Sunday and spent a cold and windy night on the mountain at about 13,000 feet before being discovered by other hikers Monday morning who heard her calling for help, park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said.

Townsend was conscious when reached by rescuers, who put her on a litter and carried across steep terrain to a helicopter that took her to a hospital.



Townsend had been climbing the 14,259-foot mountain at about 4 p.m. Sunday when she tumbled from the False Keyhole down to the Ledges area, losing consciousness. She suffered multiple injuries, including head injuries, Patterson said.

It was unclear whether Townsend tried to call for help soon after falling or whether anyone was in the area when she fell. Most hikers begin their climb well before dawn to finish before afternoon thunderstorms move in.


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