Two hikers tragically lost their lives when a tree fell on a popular trail in Washington state’s Olympic National Forest last week. Christine Mutchler, 70, and Kathy Pickard, 76, were hiking with their friend Kathy Todd, 74, to Lena Lake on Thursday (January 14) when a dead fir tree broke and fell onto the trail.
Todd recounted the harrowing moment to the Kitsap Sun, saying, “We heard a big crack that I’ll never forget. I ran as fast as I could, and I’m sure they did too.” When Todd turned around, she found Mutchler and Pickard unconscious on the trail, surrounded by pieces of the fallen tree.
Two emergency room doctors happened to be hiking nearby and provided immediate assistance. Mutchler was still breathing and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle by a rescue helicopter from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Unfortunately, she died minutes before reaching the hospital, as her sister, Paula Smith, confirmed to the newspaper. Pickard was killed instantly by the impact.
Todd, who was not injured, managed to call 911 from a nearby clearing. The ER doctors accompanied her back to the parking lot and drove her to Kitsap County. Other hikers remained with Pickard’s body until a rescue team arrived.
Friends of the women described them as part of a close-knit group who loved outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. Sarah Rogers, a friend, told the paper, “They were the back-of-the-bus crowd. Absolutely a light. Happy, active, energetic and fun. Always out for a good time, in the best way.”
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