Teen rescued from American Fork Canyon


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AMERICAN FORK — A teenager who got lost and sick while hiking in American Fork Canyon is home safe after an early-morning search and rescue operation.

The 16-year-old boy was fishing near Silver Lakes Tuesday night when he decided to hike to the upper lakes. He got lost and sick with flu-like symptoms, and it started to get dark very quickly. He said he felt very weak and couldn't go any farther, so he decided to take shelter.

Deputy Doug Willes of the Utah County Sheriff's Office said the teen did exactly the right thing by staying put.

The boy's family alerted authorities around midnight. Search and rescue crews and the Utah County Sheriff's Office with ATVs and horses began their search in the canyon at 1 a.m. They located the teen and brought him down from the mountain around 4:30 a.m.


It's easier for us to find them if they just stay where they're at.

–Deputy Doug Willes


The teen's family members were on the scene and said they are very grateful he's safe. The teen was not injured but suffered some dehydration.

Willes said with an increasing number of people headed to the mountains, hikers should remember to do the same thing this teen did if they get lost.

"Most of the time it's safer for them if they stay still, especially if they're not feeling well," Willes said.

"A lot of the time it's easier for us to find them if they just stay where they're at. We knew the direction he was going and where he intended to be, and that's where they found him," he said.

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