Man Dies In Hiking Accident In Falls Overlook Area Of Albany County

UPDATE: the Albany County Sheriff's Office has issued a correction to the original release:

"We need to update our release as we were incorrect in posting Mullen Creek when this in fact happened on the Middle Fork Little Laramie River. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused-ACSO."

Original Post:The Albany County Sheriff's Office says a 56-year-old man died in a hiking accident on Friday night in the Falls Overlook area.

According to a post on the agency's Facebook page, deputies were called out shortly before 8 p.m. on May 29 after getting a text message about someone being unconscious and having a hard time breathing. Because of the remote area and a lack of cell service, all communication was by text message only.

Deputies asked for help from Albany County Search and Rescue (ACSAR), Lifeline Air Medical, and Classic Air Medical.

As rescuers were on the way, deputies got another 911 text message, this time saying the person had stopped breathing, CPR had been applied for about 10 minutes, and the person was trapped in the river. Because of that information, deputies asked for more help, including  including a water rescue response.

Hiker Had Slipped And Fallen Into Mullen Creek

The post goes on to say "Upon arrival, deputies equipped with high-angle rescue gear located the hiking party and learned that Michael Werkeiser, 56, had slipped while descending steep terrain into a narrow crevice, falling into Mullen Creek. The creek was flowing rapidly in the area, and it is believed Werkeiser sustained a head injury during the fall, rendering him unconscious."

One of Werkiser's fellow hikers had gone into the water to try to save him, and was still there when the rescuers arrived on the scene. Rescuers had to rappell 30 feet down into Mullen Creek to reach Werkiser and the other hiker.

"Agencies involved in the response included the Albany County Sheriff's Office and High Angle Rescue Team, Albany County Search and Rescue, Lifeline Air Medical, Centennial Volunteer Fire Department, Laramie Fire Department/EMS, and LARC Dispatch."

Werkiser was pronounced dead at the scene. The other person in the creek and was released.