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September 12, 2022

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Public Information Unit, 303-441-1500

Dream Canyon search and rescue

Boulder County, Colo. - On Monday, September 12, 2022 at approximately 12:47 a.m., the Boulder County Communications Center was notified of a female who was possibly missing. The female had been dropped off by a friend to camp in the area of Dream Canyon at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2022. When her friends did not hear from her on Sunday, they became worried and went back to check on her late in the evening on Sunday. When they arrived, they found her camping supplies untouched and no sign of the female. As a result, they called 911 and reported her missing.

Overnight, deputies interviewed the missing party’s friends, marked the location of her belongings and began preparing to search the area. Due to the rugged terrain, it was determined that large scale search efforts could not be safely conducted until daylight. Additionally, they discussed with her friends what areas they had previously searched.

At 7:00 a.m. on Monday, September 12, 2022, a large search operation was launched including the use of search dogs, ground searchers, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones) in an effort to locate the missing female. At approximately 10:30 a.m., ground teams located the missing female within the canyon, near Boulder Creek, in the area above Boulder Falls. The female reported she had been hiking on Sunday evening and had attempted to climb up a rock when her hand slipped, and she fell, sustaining serious injuries. She attempted to make her way back to camp but became disoriented in the darkness. She then found a tree and sheltered in place until she was located by rescuers.

First aid was provided by rescuers on site as she had sustained serious injuries. A complex technical evacuation was conducted to transport her back to Boulder Canyon and the Boulder Falls Trailhead. Upon her arrival at the trailhead she was evaluated by paramedics from American Medical Response and transported to a local hospital for further care.

Agencies assisting with this search and rescue effort included: Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Front Range Rescue Dogs, Boulder Emergency Squad, Sugarloaf Fire Protection District, American Medical Response, and Rocky Mountain Rescue Group.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff's Office case number is: #22-04556.

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/s/ Ryan Singer, Emergency Service Coordinator