- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Saratoga Springs Today
By the People, for the People
NY Woman Rescued After Serious Hiking Accident in Washington
Jacque Tietijen was found unconscious at the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls after a fall that left her with critical injuries.
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A New York woman named Jacque Tietijen was seriously injured in a hiking accident at Bridal Veil Falls in Washington state. Two other hikers found Tietijen unconscious at the bottom of a 45-degree slope after following a trail of her blood. Tietijen suffered multiple brain bleeds, skull and facial fractures, and a tear in her carotid artery. She was airlifted to a hospital in Utah and is currently intubated as doctors monitor swelling in her brain.
Why it matters
Hiking accidents, especially on challenging trails like Bridal Veil Falls, can result in life-threatening injuries. This story highlights the importance of being prepared, exercising caution on the trails, and the heroic actions of Good Samaritans who can make the difference between life and death in remote outdoor emergencies.
The details
Jacque Tietijen, an experienced hiker from Saratoga Springs, New York, was scaling Bridal Veil Falls in Washington when she took a tumble. Her family suspects she either slipped and hit her head or was struck by falling rocks. Two other hikers on the trail came across a trail of Tietijen's blood, which led them to find her unconscious at the bottom of a steep 45-degree slope. The hikers provided first aid, wrapping their coats around Tietijen to try to warm her up before emergency services arrived.
- On February 3, Jacque Tietijen was hiking at Bridal Veil Falls in Washington.
- Tietijen was found unconscious at the bottom of the falls on February 3.
The players
Jacque Tietijen
A New York woman and experienced hiker who was seriously injured in a fall at Bridal Veil Falls in Washington.
Katherine Tietijen
Jacque Tietijen's sister-in-law, who provided details about the incident to local media.
What they’re saying
“The fact that they not just noticed that, but had the inclination to follow [Jacque's blood] and to investigate, that potentially has saved her life. Our family is so grateful. There are no words to how grateful we are to those men.”
— Katherine Tietijen, Jacque Tietijen's sister-in-law (KSL TV)
What’s next
Jacque Tietijen remains intubated in the hospital as doctors monitor the swelling in her brain. If the swelling becomes too severe, she may require emergency surgery.
The takeaway
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks involved in hiking, even for experienced outdoor enthusiasts. It also highlights the crucial role that Good Samaritans can play in saving lives during remote emergencies, underscoring the importance of being prepared, exercising caution, and looking out for one another on the trails.
