News - State
Colorado climber's death blamed on moving boulder
Posted: Jul 3, 2011 11:14 AM by AP Posted by James H Egbert
SALIDA, Colo. (AP) - Authorities say a Denver woman who was killed on Mount Princeton was struck by a large boulder that was dislodged in a storm.
The Chaffee (CHAY'-fee) County coroner said Saturday that 30-year-old Deanna Miller died Thursday of massive internal chest injuries. The death was ruled accidental.
Authorities say Miller and a companion had reached the summit of the 14,197-foot mountain Thursday and had taken cover near the boulder when a storm brought lightning, wind and rain.
Authorities initially reported Miller had been injured in a fall.
Her climbing companion was identified as 28-year-old Eric McNiel of Denver. He was unhurt and was escorted off the mountain Thursday.
A search-and-rescue team recovered Miller's body on Friday after a difficult, 14-hour operation requiring technical climbing skills.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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