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PROVO CANYON — A man climbing near Stewart Falls in Provo Canyon just before noon Monday fell 30 feet onto a ledge, and had to be rescued and flown out by medical helicopter for treatment.
Somehow the 23-year-old lost his footing and fell. Utah County Search and Rescue teams worked three hours to retrieve him from the steep terrain, Utah County Sheriff St. Tom Hodgson reported. The victim lost consciousness for a time and also suffered an ankle injury, but is expected to be O.K., Tom Hodgson added.
"We're worried about possible concussion issues," he said. "He was having some difficulty answering questions, but got better as time progressed."
Rescuers hiked and climbed into the steep area, stabilized the victim and lowered him some 200 feet down the mountain before they could get him where he could be hoisted to a waiting helicopter. The injured climber passed out a second time during the operation, rescuers reported.
A nearby climber had called 911 and stayed with the victim until help arrived.
"It's not a designated trail in that area," said Jim Dodds of North Fork Fire, "But it is a well traveled area — a lot of people trying to get to the falls. It's very steep, treacherous, lot of rock."
Stewart Falls is on the east side of Mt. Timpanogos.
"There are hundreds of people out here today," Hodgson said, "But if you take one false step in an area you're not familiar with, this may be the result. So we just remind people to be careful."
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