Not sure why the "particularly when solo" is getting associated with this story.
Lady "veered off the observation area" and ground under her gave way. She died "within minutes of the fall".
Had she not been hiking solo, the only difference is that it would not have taken a week to find her body.
But the outcome would have been equally tragic.
Reminds me, sadly, of a mountaineer I knew who climbed Mt Harding in the Mission Mtns, Montana with a big group back in the 70's. The summit was small and the large group size made him stand farther and farther off to the side. He fell through the cornice and died. So big groups don't guarantee safety either...
You made a good, valid point...no correction is needed.
If she wasn't solo more people might have died....
Such a sad and senseless loss....
This happens all too frequently at Kaaterskill Falls in the Catskills.
NYS-DEC has posted numerous signs with dire warnings, but still people ignore them and every year there are serious accidents and often a fatality or 2. Google it and you'll get numerous results.
The Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter ~ Cam "Swami" Honan of OZ
Very sad, and preventable.
As mentioned, this is not a unique incident for that location, unfortunately.
You better be ready. 'Cause you never know when it's going to happen....
Rest in Peace. Poor kid.