TheMorningStar
April 29th, 2009, 12:39 AM
It happened on a steep, winding path in Wild Horse Valley known as the Costanoan Trail. The trail, according to the city of Palo Alto's Web site, is a "strenuous" hike that switchbacks through 0.83 of a mile of dense woodland. "Not appropriate for children," the map warns.
Julie Barney, 75, was hiking there with two companions around noon Monday when she slipped from a set of steps built into the hillside, authorities said. Bill Duncan, 91, followed her down to see if he could help, while the party's third member stayed on the trail.
A trio of middle-aged mothers had passed the three older hikers on the trail several minutes before.
"They were moving a little bit slow," said Robin Love, one of the mothers. "It was a really steep area. I have bad knees and I knew it was kind of tough going, so we went slow too. A couple minutes later we heard, 'Help! Help! Help!' "
One of the younger women, a nurse named Emma Bailey, followed the cries and descended the slope to tend to Barney and Duncan. The third woman went for her car while Love tried to get reception on her cell phone.
She ended up reaching her husband, who in turn dialed 911.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12242643
Julie Barney, 75, was hiking there with two companions around noon Monday when she slipped from a set of steps built into the hillside, authorities said. Bill Duncan, 91, followed her down to see if he could help, while the party's third member stayed on the trail.
A trio of middle-aged mothers had passed the three older hikers on the trail several minutes before.
"They were moving a little bit slow," said Robin Love, one of the mothers. "It was a really steep area. I have bad knees and I knew it was kind of tough going, so we went slow too. A couple minutes later we heard, 'Help! Help! Help!' "
One of the younger women, a nurse named Emma Bailey, followed the cries and descended the slope to tend to Barney and Duncan. The third woman went for her car while Love tried to get reception on her cell phone.
She ended up reaching her husband, who in turn dialed 911.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12242643