A 76-year-old New Jersey woman died after collapsing while hiking in Utah last week.
According to the National Park Service, park rangers responded to a call of CPR in progress on Mesa Arch Trail in Canyonlands National Park last Wednesday, September 17. Upon arrival, they saw Lois Marcasciano of Pittsgrove, New Jersey, receiving first aid from bystanders.
Unfortunately, efforts were unsuccessful, and Marcasciano was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation into the matter is ongoing.
“Personnel from San Juan County Sheriff’s Department, Grand County EMS, and Classic Air Medical also responded,” the NPS said. “National Park Service staff sincerely appreciate the assistance of our emergency response partners.”
According to an article from the Ocean City N.J. Sentinel, a woman named Lois Marcasciano survived a cardiac arrest thanks to the help of strangers back in August 2024, though it is not confirmed if it is the same woman who passed away last week.
“About 90 percent of cardiac arrests happen in the community, not in a hospital. About 75 percent happen in people’s homes and only about 15 percent are out and about. Only about 40 percent of people get the care they need from bystander CPR and the survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is somewhere between 3 percent and 9 percent. That triples with bystander CPR. You take a 3 to 9 percent chance and make it a 9 to 27 percent chance, and here you go,” said Dr. William Schumacher of the Ocean City Fire Rescue at the time. “It’s a tiny number that could be a lot bigger.”
More on the Mesa Arch Trail
Mesa Arch Trail, where Marcasciano suffered her fatal collapse, is 0.6 mi territory with an elevation of 56 feet, per the NPS. It is categorized as “easy” hiking difficulty with an approximate round trip time of 30 minutes.
“This trail can be rough, uneven, and requires walking up and down a rocky hill and stone steps,” the NPS website says. “It is not accessible to wheelchairs. In winter, there may be snow or icy conditions; we recommend traction devices for hikers.”
Mesa Arch is also one of the most frequently photographed arches in the area, and is particularly popular for tourists at sunrise.
