Estimated read time: Less than a minute
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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
(KSL News) A weekend adventure is cut short for a group of hikers in Big Cottonwood Canyon, when one of them fell more than 45 feet.
Paul Sternman, 24, of Sandy, was with two friends climbing above the "Mill B North Fork Trail" in Big Cottonwood Canyon, when he fell off a steep cliff.
All were experienced climbers, and had the proper equipment. Sternman had a helmet on, which probably saved his life.
His climbing companions called for help on a cell phone. Rescuers on the ground hiked up and moved the injured climber away from the steep wall, so a helicopter could get in close and lift him out.
Dep. Mark Olsen/ Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "He was conscious, breathing, somewhat disoriented. He had a laceration on his head. They said they were concerned about some possible internal injuries as well."
Sternman is in critical condition at LDS Hospital tonight.
With this long holiday period, a lot of people will be in the outdoors, and rescuers remind us to always be prepared with the proper equipment, have plenty of water and carry a phone.
