Local authorities have reported that an ice climber in Utah sacrificed her life to save another climber on Sunday. According to a press release from the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office, three climbers were trying to climb up the frozen Raven Falls near Indian Canyon when the formation suddenly broke and collapsed. As a result, one of the climbers, a 34-year-old male who remains unnamed, fell about 40 feet but survived the fall. He was later airlifted to a local hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries.
Following the collapse of the formation, a second climber, later identified as Margaret “Meg” O’Neill, pushed her 21-year-old companion out of the path of the falling column. As per the sheriff’s office, her selfless action “probably saved” her companion’s life. Consequently, the 21-year-old managed to climb down and drove until she found an area with sufficient cell phone reception to call 911.
Capt. John Crowley/Duschesne County Sheriff’s Office
Search and rescue teams remained on the site until 5 p.m. on Monday, as reported by Fox 13 News. The sheriff’s office reported that O’Neill’s body was discovered “trapped underneath two huge blocks of ice” by the rescue team.
“Our sincere condolences to all effected by this tragedy, to the family of this brave, courageous woman who lost her life while saving another,” the office added.
Meg O’Neill, who was 43 years old, worked as the Assistant Director for Embark Outdoors, a non-profit organization that helps refugee women and girls participate in outdoor sports and education.