Family mourns hiker who died after falling 40 feet off South Mountain
PHOENIX (CNN, KYMA) - In Arizona, investigators are trying to figure out what went wrong on South Mountain.
On Friday, a hiker was badly injured and later died in the hospital.
If anyone hikes about a mile up Camelback Mountain, there is a safety sign, but there's a real-life story of loss behind the sign.
In 2011, Chelsey McHale's brother Clint hiked off trail, and fell 50 feet off Camelback Mountain to his death.
"He made a mistake that day and it cost him his life, and I feel we all make mistakes, but not a lot of us pay with our lives," McHale expressed.
Now, she hopes the sign offers a reminder to hikers that no matter how young, fit or healthy you are, tragedies happen when you least expect it.
"I really want that sign to serve as a time to reflect and that you can still turn back around," McHale explained.
Sadly, not every tragedy can be prevented.
Mid day Friday, the Phoenix Fire says a man died after falling 40 feet off South Mountain.
Family members of the victim said his name was Gilbert Ortiz, and said he was on a hiking trip, visiting from out of state.
"Now another family has to live with this, and I advocate, I speak out so a family doesn't have to live it," McHale spoke.
A family member called 911 for help, and Ortiz was airlifted off of the mountain, but did not survive.
"A fall off a mountain is a really horrific death and so it immediately impacted me...immediately just brought me back to as if I was the one getting the news," McHale said.
While McHale may be farther up the mountain of grief than this family, she says the recent tragedy brought her right back to the bottom.
"Behind every fatality, every statistic, there is a real family that is grieving," McHale explained.
Law enforcement is still investigating Ortiz's death, but believe foul play was not involved.
There is a GoFundMe created to help the family, and it has a goal of $8,000, with nearly $5,550 raised so far.
If anyone would like to donate to the GoFundMe, click here.
