Utah Teen Dies After Plunging 30 Feet While Hiking

A Utah teen has died after plunging roughly 30 feet while hiking on the Moab Rim trail, according to a police report.

The Moab City Police Department said in a news release that on Friday at 4 p.m., 17-year-old Zoe Afton McKinney and some companions were hiking the Moab Rim Trail in the Kane Creek Canyon Area when McKinney lost her footing and fell about 30 feet.

No one could safely approach the girl, so her friends called 911, Kiro 7 reports.

The Moab Fire Department and EMS rescuers could reach the spot where the girl had fallen using roped climbing equipment and harness.

The girl's death, according to the police, was a result of the fall. It took almost two hours of effort from rescuers to bring her body to the surface.

Moab Police Department sends its deepest sympathies to her loved ones. In the release, Chief Jared Garcia said, "We recognize the devastating impact the loss of a beloved young woman and friend has in this small community but know that wonderful people of Moab will band together to support and comfort her family and friends at this time."

Grand County School District Mourns Over Utah Teen's Death

The Grand County School District said that Zoe was a brilliant student, and they will celebrate her memories throughout this senior year.

They also announced that therapists would be present at the school on Monday to help the student body cope with their loss, according to Fox News.

According to her friends, McKinney was a cheerleader with "a big heart" and a "very loving friend."

According to Iryss, McKinney's friend, the only thing that mattered to her was helping people; thus, she was studying for her EMT license.

"[She was] somebody that the girls really looked up to. She was a senior, and she just had so much ambition and big plans ahead of her," said Rebecca Monceaux, whose daughter Avery Orton cheered with McKinney and a close friend at Grand County High School, per The Salt Lake Tribune.

"She was supporting us throughout," Avery added.

Utah Teen Boyfriend Says She Has the 'Brightest Smile'

Lloyd Gist, 18, had been dating the Utah teen for almost a year when she died. He was in Salt Lake City when the incident happened, 7 News noted.

"She had the brightest smile," Gist said.

"She was just the sweetest - if anyone asked her to do anything she would be jumping on it instantly."

When Gist arrived in Moab about two years ago, McKinney was among the first individuals he met.

During their time together, McKinney, a cheerleader, never missed one of Gist's football games.

Gist claims McKinney's small stature never let her size stop her. Whenever someone said no to her, Gist claimed she would find a way through them.

The Utah teen, Zoe Afton McKinney, and her boyfriend, Lloyd Gist, said they plan to start living together after high school.

"We were inseparable," Gist said, adding that if he's not around, he is always with Zoe.

READ MORE: Jair Bolsonaro Says He May Return Home 'In Coming Weeks'

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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