Provo, Mapleton firefighter mourned following fatal hiking accident in Southern Utah
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- Provo Fire & Rescue firefighter Aaron White died in an hiking accident Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Garfield County.
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- Provo Fire & Rescue firefighter Aaron White, pictured with his family, died in an hiking accident Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Garfield County.
Hearts are heavy this week as family and loved ones of a Provo first responder mourn his loss.
Firefighter and paramedic Aaron White, 39, died in a hiking accident Saturday near Escalante in Southern Utah, Provo Fire & Rescue announced in a social media post.
“His positive attitude and infectious smile were a daily inspiration. His absence will be keenly felt,” the agency said in the post. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.”
According to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, White was hiking with two others on the Bighorn Canyon Trail around 6 p.m. Saturday when the incident happened.
Wade Mathews, public information officer with the sheriff’s office, said White was leading the group when they descended a rocky surface. At some point, one of the people he was with reported hearing a “thud and then a yell” as White fell off the cliff.
“We estimate he fell about 30 to 50 feet, and he died on impact,” Mathews said.
Authorities were notified of the fall through an SOS beacon. The group Mathews was with also yelled for help.
Another group that was nearby heard them and tried to provide assistance.
“One of those people had some medical training, nursing background or something, and checked for a pulse, and there was no pulse,” Mathews said.
Responders recovered White’s body from the area and transported him to the medical examiner.
Results from the autopsy are pending, but Mathews said foul play is not suspected.
White served in a myriad of roles. Capt. Jeanie Atherton said he had been with Provo Fire & Rescue for two years. Additionally, he served as a member of the joint Provo Police/Fire Mountain Rescue Team.
“White joined us as a lateral hire a few years ago and was a valued member of many of our special response teams. Aaron was also a resident of our amazing city. Thank you for all you did for us and for the Provo community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” the Provo Firefighter’s Union said on social media.
He also worked part time for the Mapleton City Fire Department for the last seven years.
“He was a good man and will be very missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and children,” Mapleton fire officials said in a post Sunday afternoon.
Funeral plans for White are in the works, according to Atherton, who said they could be shared soon on social media.
While the investigation into what caused White’s fall is ongoing, officials remind hikers to be prepared and cautious while out in the elements.
“Anytime anyone you know dies like this, it’s a sad situation. We know he leaves his family (and) people that loved him behind, and he’s gonna be missed by his colleagues at the fire department as well,” Mathews said. “We’re thinking of his family and friends right now.”
