Newlywed Base-Jumps to Her Death in Utah

A Utah woman attempting a parachute jump near Zion National Park died when her parachute failed to open, say park officials. Amber Bellows fell about 2,000 feet to the ground Saturday afternoon. The 28-year-old had been attempting the jump from Mount Kinesava, in the southern part of the park famous for its soaring red rock formations. Bellows hiked to the top of the mountain Saturday morning with her husband, 29-year-old Clayton Butler. The Salt Lake City couple had married just two weeks before.

Bellows jumped first, around 4pm, but her parachute did not open. Her husband jumped after her, but could not reach her body. It took him another two hours to hike down the mountain and notify park officials. Officials began a helicopter search yesterday morning and found Bellows' body by 10am. Park officials said Bellows had been an experienced base jumper. "Base" stands for Building, Antenna, Span, Earth—the different platforms used by jumpers. Base jumping is banned in Zion, and this is the first time a jumper has died. (Click to read about another base-jumping tragedy.)