Hiker Dies After Falling Near South Boulder Peak

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — A man has died after he fell during a hike near South Boulder Peak Wednesday, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said. The office received a call around 7 p.m. about two hikers who were stranded near the summit during a thunderstorm, and search and rescue crews were sent to help.

A 19-year-old woman said rocks in the area were slippery and the two were having trouble going down the summit. She then fell and was seriously injured, officials said.

The 23-year-old man tried to help the woman and he fell 30 feet, suffering a life-threatening head injury, the sheriff's office said.

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A helicopter landed near the hikers and the 23-year-old was flown to a local hospital, where he later died. The woman sustained serious, but not life-threatening injuries, officials said.

The rescue took 10 hours to complete, the sheriff's office said. Rocky Mountain Fire, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Flight for Life Colorado and City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks also assisted with the rescue.