KANE COUNTY, Utah – A woman died while hiking The Wave in Kane County Monday.
According to a press release from the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, 27-year-old Elisabeth Ann Bervel of Mesa, Arizona was hiking with her husband on their fifth wedding anniversary when she died.
The couple began their hike to The Wave at about 8 a.m. Monday, and they occasionally encountered other hikers making the same trip. After spending some time at The Wave, the pair began their return trip. The couple lost the trail a few times on their way back during the hot part of the day, and they spent a few extra hours finding the correct path.
The extra time in the heat took its toll, and, according to the press release, Bervel’s legs gave out on her and she could go no farther. Her husband, Anthony, hiked for a ways until he had cell phone service and called for help.
A medical helicopter and ambulance were dispatched to the scene. When the helicopter arrived, Elisabeth Bervel was already in cardiac arrest. Emergency responders attempted to revive her, but they could not.
The body is being transported to the Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office in Salt Lake City. The cause of death is still under investigation. She died about one half of a mile away from the Wire Pass Trail Head.
According to the press release, the couple had acquired the tickets for the trip in an online lottery drawing seven months ago. The couple had spent the intervening time preparing for the trip by reviewing information provided by the Bureau of Land Management.
According to the press release, this is the fourth hiking related death in Kane County this summer.
