By Erika Hernandez
A hiker was seriously injured after falling more than 20 meters into a rocky area in Utah during a family vacation. Rescue teams carried out a complex operation to evacuate him by helicopter.
The accident occurred in the Pritchett Canyon area near Moab when a family hiking during spring break decided to stop their ATVs to walk and explore rock formations.
According to the Mammoth County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, the group became separated during the hike. One of the adults, walking further back, got too close to the edge of a cliff and fell.
The fall was between 21 and 24 meters, followed by a further bounce of approximately 15 meters onto smooth rock.
Emergency alert and rapid response
No one directly witnessed the moment of the fall. However, one of the children heard the screams and ran to tell the other adult.
The family member managed to contact emergency services using the satellite function of a mobile phone, sending a text message to 911.
A rescue helicopter arrived at the scene in about five minutes. and landed about 150 meters from the injured man, in the middle of extremely complicated terrain.
Technical rescue operation
Rescuers described the operation as complex, since the hiker was trapped in a sloping sandstone ravine.
The team deployed specialized techniques with ropes, anchors, carabiners and descent devices to stabilize the injured person and transfer him on a stretcher.
The entire operation lasted approximately three hours.
The hiker He suffered multiple serious fractures, including open fractures and possible internal injuries. He was taken by helicopter to a health center in critical condition.
Officials noted that the rock formations in the area can be deceptive, as they start with gentle slopes that quickly become vertical drops.
Rescue teams reiterated the call for caution for those who visit these natural areas, especially during busy seasons such as spring break.
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