Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SANDY — One man died from a fall in Bell Canyon on Friday while his companion was stuck hanging on a rock wall.
Search and rescue teams worked for several hours Friday night to reach the men, who were either climbing or rappelling on a remote rock face known as Bell's Beast.
"This is an area where only experienced climbers should be," Unified police detective Ken Hansen said.
At some point in the difficult climb, one of the men fell "a considerable distance," and the other was left hanging on the rock wall, Hansen said. The man trapped on the rock called 911 about 3:30 p.m. and described the area to rescuers.
Crews remained in contact with the man by phone and checked on him with a helicopter as rescuers hiked from both above and below the area to reach the men.
Rescuers reported they had located the men about 7 p.m. and confirmed that the man who had fallen had died. His name was not immediately released pending family notification.
The second man was reported to be in good condition, Hansen said. Medical personnel were evaluating the man at the scene and determining whether he would be able to hike out with them or require a stretcher.
Crews also planned to remove the deceased man's body from the canyon Friday night.
More updates will be made as they become available.