Friends saying missing Holladay woman loved being outdoors

SANDY — If Kimberly Evans could spend all her time outdoors, she would.

Friends said the 26-year-old woman from Holladay loved going four-wheeling, camping, fishing, hiking — almost anything, as long as it was outdoors.

It was during a hiking trip on Saturday that tragedy befell Evans and her date, Joseph Clark, who were near the falls above Bells Canyon Reservoir when officials say the two lost their footing, and slipped and fell about 90 feet down the waterfall into the rushing water of the creek.

Clark, 24, was pulled out of the water and flown to Intermountain Medical Center, in Murray, in critical condition. He was released from the hospital Sunday and family members say Clark is recovering well, physically.

Search and rescue crews have yet to find Evans.

Clark said he last saw his date as he was going over the edge of the waterfall. Unified Police Lt. Don Hutson said nobody saw Evans slip and tumble down the waterfall but that "all indications are that's where she is."

More than 50 people searched for the woman, who lives in Holladay, until around 8 p.m. on Saturday, and the search reconvened about 7 a.m. Sunday. However, search and rescue crews had to call off the effort because of increased water flow from melting snow that made searching dangerous.

"There's so much water. The water level rose several inches within a short period of time," Sandy Fire Lt. Jeff Duval said. "There will be people up there Monday, but just a few going up and checking the water levels."

Officials predict the water levels will go down enough over the next couple of weeks and the search can resume. But at this point, crews believe it's a recovery effort instead of a rescue.

"The rescuers are even amazed the other hiker survived," Duval said.

Clark's family said he is "devastated" but is trying to stay as positive as possible.

Joseph Clark's Facebook page had a post on Sunday that stated, "Thank you everyone for your concerns and support. I was released from the hospital a few hours ago with no major injuries. I ask that you please direct your prayers toward Kim's family at this time."

Duval said Evans' family members were at the trail supporting one another when officials explained the search and rescue would have to be called off, and they were "pretty emotional."

"This is naturally very hard on them," he said.