- The Moab community is grieving the loss of 17-year-old Zoe McKinney, who fell off a cliff while hiking with friends on Friday afternoon and died on the scene.
- According to reports, she fell approximately 30 feet down the cliff of a Utah hiking trail.
- The incident has left the community heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with her sudden loss.
- A GoFundMe has also been set up for those who donate to the family’s funeral expenses.
The Moab community is grieving the loss of 17-year-old Zoe McKinney, who fell off a cliff while hiking with friends on Friday afternoon.
According to reports, she fell approximately 30 feet down the cliff of a Utah hiking trail. She had gotten to a steep area without equipment before falling off the ledge.
At around 4.10 p.m., police received a call informing them about the tragedy faced by McKinney; however, due to a deep cliffy area, it took police hours to reach there.
According to the police, she had fallen in a far area hence reaching there was a struggle. After reaching her location, the search and rescue teams confirmed that she had died on the scene.
According to Moab Police Assistant Chief Lex Bell, who knew McKinney, the entire town was devastated by her sudden death.
‘I’ve met her, and she’s pretty well-known in the community.’ Bell added. ‘It’s incredibly tragic; the timing is even more unfortunate with tonight and what was going to happen.’
McKinney was scheduled to receive an award from her school, Grand County High School, at halftime of the varsity basketball game that evening.
Since everyone in Moab and Grand County knew one another, the assistant police chief claimed McKinney had a sizable family and friend base.
The incident has left the community heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with her sudden loss.
McKinney was a senior at Grand County High School and was well-known throughout the community.
Her friends mentioned that she was a kind-hearted girl with a big heart. She was even pursuing her EMT license to help people because she loved doing that.
She was also a talented athlete and intended to cheer at a basketball game on Friday where her brother was playing.
A staff member from Grand County High School has created “Zoe Strong Shirts” to honor her memory and raise funds for her family.
A memorial of flowers was also created at the trailhead where McKinney was hiking, the Moab Rim Trail. The trail is popular among locals; many have shared their memories of hiking it.
However, it can be hazardous at this time of year, and people are urged to be mindful of their surroundings and take appropriate precautions.
Grand County High School officials have provided counseling resources to help students and faculty through this challenging time.
A GoFundMe has also been set up for those who donate to the family’s funeral expenses. The community has rallied around the McKinney family, offering support and condolences.
Assistant Chief Lex Bell with the Moab Police Department said McKinney’s death was heartbreaking, and the family members were on the scene.
He added that the Moab community is tight-knit, and everyone is coming together to support each other during this time.
Grand County High School issued a statement for McKinney on Friday evening.
‘The school community is grieving with Zoe’s family and will provide love and support in any way we can, including having therapists available at school on Monday. Zoe was a remarkable student and we will honor her memory throughout the remainder of this senior year.’
school officials wroteThe school district provided a hotline for students seeking counseling following McKinney’s death.
She will be remembered as a talented athlete and a shining light in.
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