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Falling Rock Leads To Death Of Illinois Woman At Bandelier National Monument

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Published Date

March 25, 2022

An Illinois woman was killed when a falling rock hit her as she was climbing towards Alcove House at Bandelier National Monument/NPS file

An Illinois woman died after being struck by a rock while she was climbing a ladder up to Alcove House at Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico.

According to a park release, Brenda Holzer, 54, of Yorkville, Illinois, fell about 25 feet down the second of four ladders after she was hit by the rock Wednesday afternoon. Bandelier Visitor & Resource Protection Rangers and the Los Alamos Fire Department responded to the incident. While being lowered to the ground, Holzer went into cardiac arrest and could not be resuscitated, according to the park release. 

Park officials did not say whether another visitor knocked the rock loose or whether it was the result of a freeze-thaw cycle at the park, which received snow earlier in the week. Alcove House was closed while the incident was being investigated.

Comments

Submitted by A. Johnson on April 1, 2022 - 11:07am.

Been to the Alcove House--fascinating.

 

But, this is tragedy.  The best we can do is to minimize the known dangers and enjoy our parks accordingly.

 

God's rest, Ms. Holzer.


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