ST. GEORGE — A climber in his 80s was life-flighted out of Snow Canyon State Park after a 30-foot fall.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue, St. George News
At approximately 12:05 p.m, Washington County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded to reports that a man in his 80s fell 30 feet while rappelling in Johnson Canyon at Snow Canyon State Park, Washington County Sheriff Search and Rescue liaison Sgt. Darrell Cashin said.
Rescuers and a Gold Cross paramedic rappelled to the man and began treatment. Cashin said the man sustained a head injury and a possible hip injury.
The team had to move the man farther into the canyon before they were able to complete a guiding line to raise him up where Intermountain Life Flight had landed. Once boarded, he was transported to St. George Regional Hospital.
Cashin said the entire rescue took approximately two and a half hours.
“That’s a difficult thing in a canyon like that,” Cashin said. “You know, to get to them, get them treated, get them stabilized, get them packaged up and then, getting them out and having to do another lower with them.”
Cashin said he does not know the man’s current condition.
The Search and Rescue high angle and ropes teams, a Snow Canyon State Park ranger, Washington County Emergency Medical Services, Gold Cross Ambulance and the Ivins City Fire Department responded to the call.
St. George News reporter Stephanie DeGraw contributed to this story.
Photo Gallery
Washington County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue a man in his 80s who fell 30 feet while rappelling into an Intermountain Life Flight helicopter, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, May 5, 2022 | Photo courtesy of
Washington County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue, St. George News Washington County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue comes to the aid of a man in his 80s who fell 30 feet while rappelling, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, May 5, 2022 | Photo courtesy of
Washington County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue, St. George News Washington County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue comes to the aid of a man in his 80s who fell 30 feet while rappelling, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, May 5, 2022 | Photo courtesy of
Washington County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue, St. George News Washington County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue comes to the aid of a man in his 80s who fell 30 feet while rappelling, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, May 5, 2022 | Photo courtesy of
Washington County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue, St. George News A satellite view of Southern Utah with the location of a rescue involving a man who fell 30 feet marked by a red pin | Image courtesy of Google Maps, St. George News | Click to enlarge
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