Dr. Lane Friedman

A longtime Cullman physician died while on a family vacation in Utah this week.

Dr. Lane Friedman, 62, who practiced at Cullman Internal Medicine, was hiking with family members in Spooky Gulch, a popular slot canyon in Kane County, Utah, according to the Salt Lake City Tribune.

A deputy met with Friedman’s wife, who said the couple had been hiking in the canyon with their two children Tuesday when they became disoriented on their way back to the trailhead and made several wrong turns. The children became ill from the heat, the woman said, so the family took shelter under trees, according to the newspaper article.

Friedman was found dead Wednesday. He apparently had continued hiking to find a route out of the area, according to the newspaper. His body was transported to Escalante, where a medical examiner continued an investigation into the cause of death, the article reported. He was internist with Cullman Internal Medicine.

Cullman Internal Medicine had a phone message Thursday confirming Dr. Friedman’s death. The message also said patients were currently being referred to Bobi Jo Creel, a nurse practitioner, with the medical practice.

A statement released by Cullman Internal Message on Thursday stated:

“Cullman Internal Medicine regrets to confirm the passing of Dr. Lane Friedman. Reports from emergency personnel in Utah have determined that Dr. Friedman passed away while hiking with his family in Utah. He will be missed sincerely here at Cullman Internal Medicine by his work family and his grateful patients. We ask that you all keep his family in your prayers. Cullman Internal Medicine is committed to continuing the excellent care here at our office that Dr. Friedman provided for his patients. Letters will be sent to all of his patients to make them aware of the arrangements we have made for continuing their care here at Cullman Internal Medicine. We look forward to hearing from each of them in the coming months and are happy to care for any urgent needs they have in the days and weeks to come.”  – Cullman Internal Medicine, P.C.

One of Dr. Friedman’s patients, Wayne Brown of Crane Hill, said he had been a patient with Dr. Friedman since he arrived in Cullman.

“We were just good friends,” Brown said. “I go to him twice a year and he took good care of me. He was always nice, just a really good person and a good doctor.”

David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 116.