Multnomah County, OR – A 70-year-old woman died Friday after falling an estimated 400 feet from a trail near Horsetail Falls in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, authorities said.
According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews responded Friday, Aug. 28, after receiving a report that a hiker had fallen near Horsetail Falls, located along the Historic Columbia River Highway east of the Portland metro area.
Cascade Locks Fire notified the sheriff’s office at approximately 1:45 p.m. that a woman had fallen about a half-mile up the trail. Authorities said the victim’s friend witnessed or reported the fall and called for help.
Emergency responders reached the 70-year-old woman and determined she had died from injuries suffered after falling an estimated 400 feet, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities did not release the woman’s name Friday. Her identity was being withheld pending notification of her next of kin.
The sheriff’s office did not provide additional details about what may have caused the woman to fall or the specific conditions on the trail when the incident occurred.
Horsetail Falls is located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The area is known for its waterfalls and hiking opportunities east of Portland.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office thanked Cascade Locks Fire and the Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office for assisting with the response.
No additional injuries were reported in the sheriff’s office release.
