Grand Canyon Death 2016: Orlando Woman Slips Off Edge After Posting Instagram Photo [VIDEO]
A Florida native fell to her death in the Grand Canyon mere hours after posting a photo of herself on the edge on Instagram.
Colleen Burns, a 35-year-old woman from Orlando, Fla., slipped and fell into the Grand Canyon last week. Burns slipped off the edge of Ooh Aah Point, a location found on the South Kaibab Trail. She suffered "multiple blunt force injuries," according to the Coconino County Public Health Service's Medical Examiner's Office (via People).
Just a few hours before her death, Burns posted a photo on Instagram of herself sitting on the edge of the Canyon, looking out into the distance. This photo has since been overtaken with supportive messages in the comment section.
Jessica Roman, a friend of Burns, was at the Canyon with her and spoke with Florida's WESH about the incident.
"She was just, like, stepping out of the way for another gentleman to, kind of, squeeze in," Roman said. "Unfortunately, Colleen just kind of got tripped up on her own feet and fell backwards. She fell into the Canyon."
She noted, "That was the longest, strangest, craziest two seconds of my life. Those last two seconds where everyone changed are so minute in comparison to all the memories I have with her."
Burns was the regional marketing director for Yelp in Orlando. Musician Kaskade has since shown his support for Burns, having interacted with her in the past.
"Colleen showed up in my life before the tidal wave of support had hit. And she always rose to the top of that wave," Kaskade posted on Facebook. "She had such an unmatched enthusiasm for life; the fire in her eyes and that crazy infectious smile. They were the whole story. Colleen was destined to be a star among us. She never wanted to be looked up to though - it was genuine kindness, and absolute nurturing of a community she grew, from a soul that only knew love.
"I feel taken apart by the news of Colleen's passing. I'm feeling what I'm guessing you are: numb and then such sadness. This changes the landscape of our community, but I am 100% certain that we will meet again. Until then, we preserve our favorite memories with Colleen - and remember the legacy she created - based on love and joy. We will get back there, together."
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