Sheriff’s Office urges preparedness following 3 consecutive rescues in Washington County

IVINS — Three separate rescues occurred across Washington County on Sunday, and the Sheriff’s Office is stressing how important it is to be prepared.

Rescue teams work to rescue a lost hiker on Red Mountain Sunday night, Ivins, Utah, Feb. 5, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Brady King, St. George News
Rescue teams work to rescue a lost hiker on Red Mountain Sunday night, Ivins, Utah, Feb. 5, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Brady King, St. George News

Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Darrell Cashin told St. George News they responded to three separate rescues on Sunday, including a hiker suffering a medical emergency, a truck stuck in the snow and a lost hiker on Red Mountain.

“No one plans on going out and getting lost or getting hurt — no one plans on that,” Cashin said. “But it happens. All we’re saying is just think about those little things that could help you in a situation like that until we can get to you.”

The first call came in at 1:30 p.m., prompting Washington County Search and Rescue and Hurricane EMS personnel to respond to Yant Flant Trail after receiving a report of a hiker in his 50s suffering severe chest pain.  The man was approximately 1 1/2 miles into the trail when the incident occurred, Cashin said.

Life Flight located the man and found a safe place to land. Emergency crews were dropped off and began medical treatment. Search and rescue carried the man to the helicopter and he was transported to St. George Regional Hospital for further treatment, the sergeant said.

During this time, Cashin said they received another call near Hell Hole on West Mountain, where a man driving a Toyota Tacoma with his 11-year-old disabled child got stuck in the snow. Search and rescue personnel were dispatched and found the vehicle. Ground crews were able to assist in helping the man and his child out safely.

Rescue teams work to rescue a lost hiker on Red Mountain Sunday night, Ivins, Utah, Feb. 5, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Rescue teams work to rescue a lost hiker on Red Mountain Sunday night, Ivins, Utah, Feb. 5, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Later that evening at 7:21 p.m., a call came in from a lost hiker at Red Mountain in Ivins. The man was about three-quarters of the way up the mountain when he lost the trail. As the sun went down and the temperatures dropped, a storm also rolled in.

“All he had was the light from his cellphone, which was down to 20%,” Cashin said. “And he wasn’t dressed appropriately for the weather.”

Cashin said hikers should always carry an additional light source. Cellphone batteries drain quickly when the flashlight is activated, and hikers should save the battery for emergency communications.

Search and rescue personnel arrived and requested the Utah Department of Public Safety Star 9 helicopter for assistance, which did a one-skid landing after finding the lost hiker. Cashin said he was flown down to the parking lot of Rocky Vista University. The man reportedly refused medical treatment and was released.

“Before you go hiking, check the weather,” Cashin said. “If the hike takes two hours, what if something happens, you get off trail and it takes three or four? Are you prepared for that? Are you prepared for the sun to go down? Those are the things people need to think about.”

Video clip attributions courtesy of Brady King.

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