Girl, 7, falls 40 feet on hike with family

A 7-year-old girl was believed to be in critical condition Thursday night after she slipped and fell an estimated 40 feet while hiking with her family at North Cheyenne Cañon Park, authorities said.

The child, whose name was not released, was injured near Silver Cascade Falls, accessible from Helen Hunt Trail, said Colorado Springs Fire Department spokesman Lt. Brian Keys. Earlier reports that the girl was hurt at Seven Falls were erroneous, he said.

"Her family was hiking on a trail above Helen Hunt Falls near Silver Cascade Falls when somehow she slipped and fell 40 feet," Keys said.

The first emergency call was made at 4:46 p.m. Fire department paramedics reached the girl at 5:06 p.m. and delivered her to a waiting ambulance at 5:32 p.m.

A paramedic said she had suffered life-threatening injuries, Keys said.