A female climber was crushed to death by falling ice after pushing a fellow climber out to save her life at a park in Utah.
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Meg O’Neill,41, was climbing Raven Falls above Indian Canyon with three others on Sunday when she saw the falling ice approaching her and an unidentified 21-year-old, as reported by the Daily Mail. Deputies from the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office said that O’Neill acted quickly, pushed the young woman out of the way, and saved her life.
Unfortunately, O’Neill was crushed under two ice blocks and pinned to the ground. The 21-year-old could climb down and call for help for O’Neill and their friend, a 34-year-old male. who reportedly fell 40 ft when the ice blocks hit them. Medics arrived at the scene and transported the man via helicopter so he could receive treatment for his injuries at a local hospital.
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However, O’Neill’s body was not recovered from the site until Monday with the help of multiple volunteers. The Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement and offered their condolences to her family,
‘Our sincere condolences to all effected by this tragedy, to the family of this brave, courageous woman who lost her life while saving another.’
A Facebook group was created to honor O’Neill, and close friends shared their memory of the beloved climber. Additionally, she was well-known in the US climbing community because O’Neill made friends throughout her expedition journey. ‘Yesterday I carried an empty bag up to your last climb and helped you down. My heart hurts. The mountains and skies were crying for you,’ a volunteer wrote in the group.
Another friend, Anna Von Der Marwitz, said O’Neill had a lot of enthusiasm and she was ‘one of a kind.’
‘She was a truly special person and spread so much enthusiasm and kindness. I want to be more like her. I hope she knew how much she changed the world around her for the better.’
Embark Outdoors also wrote a statement dedicated to the beloved climber’s memory and said she wanted the climbing community to be more inclusive:
‘We have lost a dear friend, a hero, and our fearless leader,’ the company wrote in a grieving Instagram post.
‘In an act so true to Meg, she made sure the others on the ground were safe before she was killed by falling debris. Search and Rescue has reached her, and it’s confirmed that it happened instantly.
‘Most of our girls have known Meg for half their life. She’d been a mentor to them since 7th grade. She was the heart and soul of this program, as you all well know.’
Climbing is an exhilarating and rewarding experience, but it can also be dangerous. One of the most important safety tips for climbers is to be aware of falling ice. Ice can fall from above at any time, so it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect yourself. This includes wearing a helmet, avoiding areas with large amounts of ice, and being prepared for the possibility of falling ice. By following these safety tips, climbers can ensure that they have a safe and enjoyable climbing experience.