Harper-Ridgeview Funeral Chapel

Park rangers were hiking in the area and encountered the group of hikers at about 5 p.m. Monday, according to Penny Wagner, Olympic National Park spokeswoman.The woman’s name and hometown are being withheld pending family notifications.The woman had collapsed 30 minutes beforehand and regained consciousness.Rangers provided medical aid and she began to improve.The plan was to camp overnight at Deer Lake and proceed with a litter carry out to the trailhead in the morning.At 6:45 p.m., the woman suddenly lost consciousness again and went into cardiac arrest, Wagner said.A Medevac was requested and due to the terrain, a military helicopter was necessary for a hoist operation.Cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered for an hour, but was unsuccessful.The exact cause of death is under investigation.The Navy helicopter was on scene at 8:30 p.m. Monday and assisted with the recovery.The woman was flown to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles and transferred to Harper-Ridgeview Funeral Chapel.“We offer our most heartfelt condolences to this young woman’s family,” said park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum.Deer Lake is at an elevation of 3,600 feet and located 3.8 miles from the Sol Duc River Trailhead in the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness.Jesse Major is a reporter for the Peninsula Daily News. -- -- ...

The backpackers were on the Sol Duc River Trail above Deer Lake when rangers in the area encountered them about 5 p.m. Monday. According to a park release, the woman had collapsed a half-hour beforehand and regained consciousness. Rangers provided medical aid and she reportedly began to feel better and her condition improved. The plan was to camp overnight at Deer Lake and proceed with a litter carry out to the trailhead in Tuesday morning.But at 6:45 p.m. the woman suddenly lost consciousness again and went into cardiac arrest. A medevac was requested and due to the terrain, a military helicopter was necessary for a hoist operation. Cardio pulmonary resuscitation was administered for an hour until a medical professional and emergency medical protocols directed the rangers to suspend the efforts. The exact cause of death is under investigation.The Navy helicopter was on scene at 8:30 p.m. and assisted with the recovery. The women's body was flown to Olympic Medical Center and transferred to Harper-Ridgeview Funeral Chapel. Her name and hometown were being withheld pending family notifications. Deer Lake is at an elevation of 3,600 feet and located 3.8 miles from the Sol Duc River Trailhead in the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness.

The 19-year-old Sequim resident and 2016 Sequim High grad died June 21 in a motorcycle and vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 101 near Port Angeles.A fundraiser will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Rainshadow Cafe, 157 W. Cedar St., in Sequim, during the venue’s open mic night; all the tips generated from the event will go toward Brooke’s funeral and arrangement expenses.A closed casket viewing was open to the public Wednesday at Harper-Ridgeview Funeral Chapel, 2805, 105 W. Fourth St., Port Angeles.A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at Lighthouse Christian Center, 304 E. Viewcrest Ave., in Port Angeles and procession will follow at Carrie Blake Park, 202 N. Blake Ave., Sequim, where the event will finish with a reception and celebration of life.Kim and Donald Bedinger said their daughter loved her family and spending time with them as well as her Hooligans biker family.“I want everyone to know what a loving, amazing soul she had and what an amazing person she was,” Kim Bedinger said.“Her hobby was family,” she said. “She was very passionate about her family.”Brooke’s cousins Tristi Kienholz, 22, and her sister Andrea Kienholz, 20, said the three of them were close from when they were young up until present.Tristi said that she and Brooke were “two peas in a pod” and considered her a little sister.“She was so full of life always” Tristi said.Andrea said the three of them shared sisterly bonds and she was especially close with Brooke as they are the same age and went through both middle and high school together in Sequim.“No matter what, Brookie was positive and uplifting for everyone else,” she said. “It was never a dull moment with her and we always had something to talk about.”Family members said Brooke was planning to attend Peninsula College in the fall to earn credentials to be a medical assistant. She also had a passion for music, family say, and she was a part of the Sequim High School Choir all four years of high...