Crews recover body of missing ice climber in Duchesne County

DUCHESNE COUNTY, Utah — Crews have recovered the body of a 41-year-old woman who went missing over the weekend while ice climbing.

Officials with the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office said search and rescue crews located the woman’s body near Indian Canyon Monday afternoon.

She was ice climbing with two other people — identified as a 34-year-old man and 21-year-old woman — at Raven Falls Sunday when deputies said an ice column broke.

“One climber pushed their fellow female climber, age 21, out of the way, which probably saved her life. This female was able to climb down the terrain and drive to Duchesne City to contact 911 for help,” read a Facebook post from the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office.

The 34-year-old man fell approximately 40 feet when the ice column fractured and was airlifted to the Wasatch Front with serious injuries. Officials said his condition is unknown at this time.

The third climber, who pushed the 21-year-old out of the way of the falling ice, died after she became trapped underneath two large blocks of ice. She was unaccounted for until 2:30 p.m. Monday when rescue teams from Duchesne, Utah and Wasatch counties found her body.

“At this time due to respect of the family members, names are still being withheld,” read another Facebook post from the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office.