By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News | Photos courtesy of the Emery County Sheriff’s Office

It was an action-packed week for the Emery County Sheriff’s Office and volunteers of the Emery County Search and Rescue team, as the organizations helped rescue five citizens who needed assistance.

Incident One, June 5

The excitement began on Thursday, June 5, when Emery County dispatch received a text that a 12-year-old had fallen while hiking inside Goblin Valley State Park and had potentially broken a leg. According to the Emery County Sheriff’s Office,” Green River Ambulance and an ECSO Deputy were immediately dispatched to the incident. A request was made for emergency responders from the State Park to respond and help assess the patient until EMS could arrive.”

State Park Rangers were the first to respond, confirming that the 12-year-old had broken a femur. Due to the nature of the injury, an air medical helicopter was requested to help evacuate the child. 

“Once the ECSO Deputy and Green River EMS arrived on scene, the patient was able to be stabilized and packaged to be carried out to the ambulance. It was discovered that the patient was climbing on rocks in the area known as Valley Of The Goblins and fell approximately six to eight feet causing the injury,” reads a social media post from ECSO.

Due to inclement weather, concerns arose about the helicopter’s ability to land in the area. Another ECSO deputy, along with the Utah Highway Patrol, worked to find an alternative landing spot.

However, the weather cleared, and the helicopter was able to land. The patient was transferred to the flight team, which carried the 12-year-old to Primary Children’s Hospital for further care.

“This incident gives us another opportunity to highlight our great working relationship with the multiple agencies in our area,” said ECSO. “A huge thank you goes out to the Goblin Valley State Park Rangers, Green River EMTs, Classic Air Medical, Utah Highway Patrol, Emery County Sheriff’s Office, and anyone else who stepped up to help in this time of need.”

Incident Two, June 7

During the evening of Saturday, June 7, Emery County Dispatch received a call regarding four individuals who were paddle boarding down the San Rafael River and had not returned from their excursion.

Contacting the SAR team, the volunteers immediately jumped into action. While preparing, the group received word that three of the paddle boarders were together along the river, but the fourth member was separated from the group and lost. 

“Deputy Michael VanWagoner quickly responded to the Swinging Bridge area and located the missing member of the party. She had exited the river at the Swinging Bridge area and was being taken care of by some campers,” reads a release from ECSO.

During this time, members of the SAR team began searching on foot for the remaining three paddle boarders. The rescue party was able to locate the remainder of the party and safely reunite them with the fourth member.

According to ECSO,” All involved were safe and injury-free. “

The release concludes,” Emery County Sheriff’s Office and SAR members are grateful for outcomes like this. It was a great learning experience for all involved. A special thanks goes out to DPS, State Recreation Rangers, and friends of those that were lost who came out to help.”