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Coco Warner ReportingA man fell 30 feet in American Fork Canyon and needed help. Chopper Five was there for the whole thing. The fallen hiker is in stable condition tonight.
The pictures are dramatic, as was the rescue. But while the rugged terrain and waterfall make for a beautiful backdrop, those same elements proved a dangerous combination for a couple of hikers.
The remote location and the state of the victim made being rescued by Lifeflight the only option 25-year old Nicholas DeJesus fell nearly 30 feet while trying to undo a knot in his rappelling rope along American Fork Canyon's Scout Falls. It happened around 4 o'clock this afternoon...
Jason Anderson, Victim's friend: "In the process of trying to get it done, it slipped through his carabeaner, and he was pretty much already almost to the end of his rope and he didn't have enough time to stop the rest of it to stop him before he fell all the way."
Jason Anderson was right in front of him.
Jason Anderson: "Then I finally got down over the ledge and I could see him down on the ground, and that's when he said he broke his ankle."
So Jason went for help, finally finding a phone at the Mutual Dell campground. But the victim was waiting in pretty harsh conditions.
Lt. Darren Gilbert, Utah County Sheriff's Office: "That he actually fell underneath the falls, was wet. The call was actually about an hour and a half time."
Fritz Holley, Chopper Five Pilot: "The winds are extremely turbulent up here. It's just very, very difficult."
The windy conditions added to the rescue's difficulty, and after bringing Nicholas safely to the ground, emergency crews made the call to fly him to LDS Hospital.
Lt. Darren Gilbert: "Due to the remote location and the victim's condition, they decided to hoist the victim out with Lifeflight."
The victim sustained injuries to his legs, ribs and shoulders. In cases like this, and considering the rugged terrain, he probably feels lucky it wasn't worse.
