A 37-year-old woman from Michigan died of unknown medical complications while hiking at Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior. She was with her partner near Lake LeSage when she experienced sudden medical issues and eventually lost consciousness and stopped breathing. CPR attempts were unsuccessful, and Michigan State Police were contacted through a delayed 911 text message. EMTs located the group and Isle Royale National Park staff responded to transport them. The woman’s death is under investigation, and condolences were extended to her family and friends.
Isle Royale National Park is known for its remoteness, with over 99% of the land designated as wilderness. Accessible only by ferry, seaplane, or private watercraft, the park has limited cell phone service and warns visitors to be prepared for emergencies due to difficulty in reaching park rangers. Despite its remoteness, the park has seen relatively few visitors since its establishment in 1940.
The woman’s death is part of a larger trend of fatalities at national parks in the United States, with thousands of deaths reported since 2007. These deaths often result from unintentional causes such as motor vehicle crashes, drownings, and falls, as well as from medical issues while engaging in physical activities like hiking. Recent incidents at other national parks have highlighted the potential dangers of outdoor recreation, including heat exposure deaths at Death Valley National Park and falls at Grand Canyon National Park.
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