Yesterday afternoon, Sedona Fire crews responded to a tree that had fallen and injured a hiker at West Fork in Oak Creek canyon. Fire Marshal Jon Davis says crews arrived to find the hiker pinned underneath the tree. Davis says crew had to cut the tree from on top of the hiker.The critically injured person was then flown to a local hospital.Davis says outdoor enthusiasts need to be extra careful and aware of their surroundings right now due to the saturated ground.
This accident happened in front of my friend and me as we crossed the stream for the last time on our way back to the parking lot of West Fork trail. We both find the comment in this article offensive. To imply that the lady that got injured was careless is uncalled for. She was standing on the path with her partner and without warning the tree fell on her. After having completed the hike and knowing that this trail is privately managed, we would hold the managing company accountable. West Fork is a great trail, with beautiful views and great vegetation but it is not well maintained. Nor is it well marked. The hikers were not doing anything irresponsible or careless. They were standing on the trail looking out when the tree fell without warning.
This story does not imply the woman was careless. The word careless does not even appear in this story. Fire crews are just issuing a warning to other hikers that the ground is saturated and this could happen again.