May 8, 2013 / 15:40 pm
Wyoming Catholic College is grieving the loss of freshman Christine Allen, who died on May 7 after falling during a hike with her family in Utah.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy," college president Father Robert Cook said in a statement Wednesday.
"Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathy are with the Allen family, and we ask you to keep them in your prayers."
Nineteen-year-old Allen fell during an evening hike with her family on Tuesday around 8 p.m. in San Juan County, Utah, about 15 miles southwest of Moab.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the young woman reportedly tumbled around 20 feet and died after a boulder came loose, causing rock to fall on her. She passed away at the scene shortly after surrounded by her family members.
The Allen family was returning from Lander, Wyoming to their home in San Luis Obispo in California after Christine had completed her freshman year.
A Mass will be offered for Christine and her family at 5:30 p.m. May 8 at Holy Rosary Catholic Parish, in Lander.