- The Washington Times - Monday, February 10, 2014

A Utah woman trying to make a parachute jump nearby Zion National Park died after her parachute failed to open and she fell 2,000 feet to the ground, park agents said.

Amber Bellows, 28, was a two-week newlywed and was making the jump from a 7,276-foot peak atop Mount Kinewava with her husband, Clayton Butler, 29, CNN reported. She jumped first and when her chute didn’t open, her husband jumped and tried to reach her, The Associated Press reported.

He then spent two hours hiking down the mountain to notify park agents, AP said. A helicopter search team found her body the follow day.

“It is just really sad, and our condolences go out to her family and friends,” acting park superintendent Jim Milestone said in a statement, to AP. “BASE jumping is so dangerous. Even for those that are experienced, like Amber Bellows. That is one of the reasons it is not allowed in the park.”

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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