Eatonville woman dies in fall near Ricksecker Point

An Eatonville woman died Saturday after an accidental fall at Mount Rainier National Park.

According to a news release, park rangers Sunday recovered the body of Constance Markham, 65, from a steep slope below Ricksecker Point in the southwest corner of the park. Her fall was reported at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Searchers found her body in “steep, hazardous terrain,” according to the announcement. Her body was recovered Sunday by helicopter and turned over to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s office Sunday afternoon.

According to the news release, 22 National Park Service employees participated in the incident and were assisted by 13 Mountain Rescue Association personnel from Tacoma, Seattle and Olympic units; eight Nordic Patrol volunteers; and one person from Pierce County Fire District 23. A Bell 206 helicopter from Northwest Helicopters in Olympia was used for the recovery.