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PROVO — A large rock slide took place in Provo Canyon Monday, narrowly missing several bystanders and leaving rubble across a popular trail.
The incident took place around 12:20 p.m. Monday, according to Utah County Sheriff's Office estimates. The specific area affected included the Provo Parkway Trail, which officers estimated was covered by at least two truckloads worth of loose rock and debris.
Witnesses described hearing what sounded like a gunshot or explosion moments before the rock began to slide down the trail. Kirkham Parry, a bystander who was riding his bike up the trail at the time, said the incident was like a scene in a disaster movie.
"It was pretty chaotic," Parry said. "I saw a bunch of people running away and screaming."
Parry added that, from his vantage point, it seemed almost unimaginable that no one was seriously injured. Sgt. Spencer Cannon of Utah County Sheriff's Office told KSL that the rock in this area had been loose for years.
"It very well could have turned out differently, where you have a group right in the area where the rocks came down," Cannon said. "We're very fortunate that didn't happen today."
The trail was closed following the incident, but should reopen after crews clean and assess further risk Tuesday. Despite the original loose rock, the sheriff's office does not believe the area is at high risk for another slide.
Contributing: Ben Dowsett
