Medical attention called for multiple incidents at Garden of the Gods

SALINE COUNTY - Three people in three separate incidents required medical attention Sunday morning at Garden of the Gods in southeastern Saline County, according to the county's 911 director.

Saline County E-911 Coordinator Tracy Felty said two incidents involved women who fell and suffered injuries within a few minutes of each other in separate locations.

"The first incident was at about 9:30 a.m. and involved a young woman who fell on the observation trail, possibly causing a broken leg," Felty said.

About 10 minutes later, a woman in her 50s fell along the Indian Loop trail. "That fall possibly resulted in a fractured hip," Felty said.

Felty said another incident occurred late in the morning, when a male youth required medical assistance relating to being overheated.

He also said because weather has warmed substantially as summer nears, proper preparation is a necessity when planning a trip into outdoor areas.

"Each year, we remind people not to go into an outdoor area without wearing proper clothing, along with proper footwear," Felty said. "It's also important to maintain proper hydration, especially when the weather heats up."

The incidents at Garden of the Gods, while serious, were not quite as serious as similar incidents last week in neighboring Pope County.

The most serious of those involved a 55-year-old woman who died after falling about 30 feet at Burden Falls. In addition, one person got lost in that area last Sunday, with another getting lost Monday.

Including the fatal fall from a cliff, there were at least five incidents at Burden Falls alone requiring a response from the Pope County Sheriff's Office.