On Monday, a California mother died after falling 140 feet while hiking with her infant and husband on an Arizona mountain, according to local authorities.
The woman, identified as Zaynab Joseph, was discovered by hikers who heard her scream in agony on an embankment after falling down a high precipice on Bear Mountain, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
![Family Hike Turns Deadly: California Mom, 40, Loses Life Hiking in Arizona Mountain with Baby, Husband](https://thedailymiaminews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Family-Hike-Turns-Deadly-Mom-40-Loses-Life-Hiking-in-Arizona-Mountain-with-Baby-Husband-1-1024x512.jpg)
One of the hikers hurried down the embankment, where Joseph, 40, was still breathing but died shortly after, according to the sheriff’s office.
The husband and their child were evacuated from the mountain, and Joseph’s body was recovered by first responders.
According to officials, the family was sleeping at an Airbnb in Sedona while traveling from California.
The cause of the unfortunate occurrence is being investigated, with sheriff officers conducting repeated interviews with hikers after they down the mountain.
![Family Hike Turns Deadly: California Mom, 40, Loses Life Hiking in Arizona Mountain with Baby, Husband](https://thedailymiaminews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Family-Hike-Turns-Deadly-Mom-40-Loses-Life-Hiking-in-Arizona-Mountain-with-Baby-Husband-2-1024x512.jpg)
According to a lady who identified as the victim’s sister, Joseph had a “heart of gold,” People.com stated.
“No words can describe the pain our families are going through, especially her husband and three young children,” Farwa Zaidi posted on Facebook.
The US Forest Service classifies Bear Mountain as a “strenuous hike” since it is generally unshaded, steep, and tough in spots.
It’s unclear where Joseph and her family were trekking when she fell.