Emery County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call on Sunday evening, June 25, reporting that a member of a group hiking Zero Gravity on the San Rafael Desert needed assistance. The man was suspended in a narrow portion of the slot canyon, wedged tightly between the canyon walls.
ECSO personnel as well as the Emery County Search and Rescue team responded with their rope rescue gear. T
he State of Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter was dispatched from Salt Lake as well as the Classic Air medical helicopter from Moab. While rescuers were enroute, members of the hiking group rigged up a web for the man to push his feet against in an attempt to relieve some pressure on his torso. The DPS helicopter transported members of the Search and Rescue team to the scene.
Upon arrival, the rescuers rigged a haul system with ropes to pull the man up out of the canyon, two rescuers were lowered into the canyon to assist the hiker. Crew members from both helicopters provided extra manpower to help pull the man and two rescuers up and out of the canyon approximately 100 feet. The man was then evaluated by medical personnel from Classic Air and transported by helicopter to the trailhead. By the time rescuers were able to pull the man up out of the slot canyon, he had been suspended for around 8 hours and was in danger of suspension trauma.
Law enforcement officials want to remind people who plan on exploring the San Rafael Desert to research the area you are visiting so you can be aware of any restrictions or technical expertise required to safely maneuver the canyons.
The Emery County Search and Rescue is a volunteer organization which operates solely from proceeds made from fundraisers. They will be hosting their annual fundraiser, the San Rafael Classic Triathlon, on Saturday, July 15 at Huntington State Park. Proceeds from the triathlon are used to purchase new search and rescue equipment. You can learn more about the triathlon by visiting www.sanrafaelclassic.com or visiting their Facebook page.
INFORMATION OBTAINED VIA EMERY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE