Woman found dead and parents in coma after tragedy strikes family on hike

A 30-year-old woman has been found dead and her parents are fighting for their lives after an afternoon hike took a tragic turn. The trio embarked on a walk in the Snow Canyon State Park in Utah last Saturday as the temperature hit a staggering 37C.

At about 3.30pm, an unnamed caller contacted a search and rescue team after finding the family struggling in the extreme heat. Dario Ordóñez, 65, and his wife Humbelina Ordóñez, 63, were treated at the scene by first responders who rushed them to the hospital. They are both in a coma in the ICU.

Their daughter Belyruth Ordóñez was found lying unconscious a short distance away. Sadly, Belyruth died at the scene after suffering severe heat exhaustion, which caused her to pass out.

A GoFundMe has been set up by friends of the family.

People urged to be ‘safe and well-hydrated’ in extreme heat

Following the incident, a spokesperson for the Santa Clara-Ivins public safety department has urged people to “stay safe and well-hydrated.”

“As temperatures soar, it’s absolutely vital to maintain a regular intake of water, especially when outdoors,” they said.

“Dehydration can lead to serious health issues, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Remember, your body may still need water even if you don’t feel thirsty.

“Watch for signs of dehydration, like dizziness or excessive fatigue.”

‘People often overestimate their abilities’

Devan Chavez, associate director of Utah State Parks, said: “People often overestimate their abilities, head out and think, ‘Oh, I’m just going to be gone a short while, I only need one bottle of water’ or ‘I “have experience and have hiked a lot.”

“But even the most experienced hikers can run into problems out there. We do our best to help visitors make informed decisions about the parks they plan on visiting.

“Our parks also share similar messages and updates on their individual social media accounts.”

Jam Press

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