Denise McLean : Woman dies after 400-foot fall in Colorado’s Royal Gorge

A woman who fell to her death at the Royal Gorge has been identified.

Coroner Randy Keller said Denise McLean, 45, of Wylie, Texas, died in an accidental incident. She was standing on some rocks next to the gorge and either fell or slipped, Keller said.

The Cañon City Police Department responded Monday night to the park for a report of a missing female. She was last seen at an observation point on the north side of the Royal Gorge. The observation point is near the north entrance parking area, which is northeast of the actual Royal Gorge Bridge.

Officers searched the area, but because of night fall and dangerous conditions, the search was suspended until Tuesday morning.

The Fremont County Search and Rescue Team was notified and responded to the scene. At 9 a.m., the team located McLean about 400 feet below the observation point on the cliff face.

Agencies/Canadajournal