Hiker rescued after 40-foot fall in Columbia River Gorge

BRIDAL VEIL, Ore. – A hiker has been rescued after she slipped on ice and fell 40 feet down a cliff at Wahkeena Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.

Authorities said Thursday the 57-year-old woman was able to break her fall by grabbing onto a tree branch and was expected to survive.

A rescue team hiked in about a mile to reach her.

The woman, who is visiting with a friend from Texas, was taken to a local hospital.

Search and rescue officials warn that the paths around the falls are icy and hiking is extremely dangerous at this time.