Hiker, 74, Fell To His Death On Lookout Mountain

GOLDEN, CO – A local hiker, age 74, fell to his death on Lookout Mountain in an accident Sunday, Jan. 20, the Jefferson County Coroner's Office confirmed. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that they were investigating hiker's a death in Jeffco.

Anthony van Westrum, age 74, of Golden, lost his balance on a hiking trail Sunday evening near Go-A-Quah Street and fell "approximately 100-120 feet," a statement from Daniel Pruett, chief deputy coroner, said.

Van Westrum was deceased by the time rescuers got to him, Pruett said. Because it was dark, sheriff’s deputies and rescuers determined that extracting the body was too dangerous until daylight.

"Deputies were posted along the trail to block access and stay with [van Westrum] overnight," Pruett said in an email. When the rescue resumed the following morning, the deputy coroner pronounced van Westrum dead on the 21st at 1:20 p.m., Pruett said.

Van Westrum's death was declared an accident and his cause of death was determined to be multiple traumatic injuries.

Van Westrum, who worked for 50 years as a local attorney, was described as "an avid photographer and lover of the outdoors," who spent "countless hours in nature," in his obituary. Van Westrum is survived by his wife Jenny, son Derek (Jen), daughter Heather (Mike) and granddaughter Ruby. Van Westrum and his family have a residence on Lookout Mountain.

A memorial service is planned in early spring 2019, according to Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery's Wheat Ridge office.

Related: Hiker's Death Investigated By JeffCo Sheriff's Office

This story has been updated to correct the date and time of death.

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