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Backpacker Suffers Fatal Cardiac Arrest At Olympic National Park

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Published Date

August 14, 2018
Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park/NPS

A backpacker from Iowa suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while hiking along the Sol Duc River Trail in Olympic National Park/NPS

A 29-year-old woman from Iowa who was backpacking with family members at Olympic National Park went into cardiac arrest in the backcountry and died before she could be transported to a medical facility.

The backpackers were on the Sol Duc River Trail above Deer Lake when rangers in the area encountered them about 5 p.m. Monday. According to a park release, the woman had collapsed a half-hour beforehand and regained consciousness. Rangers provided medical aid and she reportedly began to feel better and her condition improved. The plan was to camp overnight at Deer Lake and proceed with a litter carry out to the trailhead in Tuesday morning.

But at 6:45 p.m. the woman suddenly lost consciousness again and went into cardiac arrest. A medevac was requested and due to the terrain, a military helicopter was necessary for a hoist operation. Cardio pulmonary resuscitation was administered for an hour until a medical professional and emergency medical protocols directed the rangers to suspend the efforts. The exact cause of death is under investigation.

The Navy helicopter was on scene at 8:30 p.m. and assisted with the recovery. The women's body was flown to Olympic Medical Center and transferred to Harper-Ridgeview Funeral Chapel. Her name and hometown were being withheld pending family notifications.

Deer Lake is at an elevation of 3,600 feet and located 3.8 miles from the Sol Duc River Trailhead in the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness.

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Comments

Submitted by Be me on August 15, 2018 - 5:16am.

subarachnoid bleed likely with sudden loss of consciousness, regain, then deteriorate hours later


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