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GREEN RIVER, Emery County — Authorities described a "tragic" Easter weekend in Emery County after two men died from falling in separate incidents at San Rafael Swell.
On Friday, Craig Barlow, 50, of Salt Lake City, was sitting on a boulder in the Upper Black Box area on a ledge, watching his friends rappel, when the ledge broke, causing Barlow to fall about 50 feet and land in 2 to 3 feet of water.
"The caller and one other person left the group to hike to a spot where they had cell service to call for help while other members of the group attended to the man who had fallen," the Emery County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
Search and rescue crews began attempting a technical rope rescue. A Classic Air helicopter out of Moab landed on a shelf further up the canyon, and paramedics hiked down the canyon through water, according to the statement.
"Search and rescue members rigged up and rappelled into the canyon, but were unable to hoist the man out due to difficult overhangs and loose rock which would cause delays and added risk. The man was carried up the canyon to an area where they were able to climb up a 40-foot sandy embankment and make their way to the helicopter," officials said.
Barlow was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.
On Saturday, another man fell while rappelling in Farnsworth Canyon. Sheriff's officials say Arlo Lott, 41, from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, fell about 70 feet after his rappel anchor broke loose.
Classic Air again searched for the location but was unable to continue the search due to unsafe conditions from high winds, according to the statement. Crews responded with rope rescue gear and rappelled to Lott to prepare him for transport to a hospital.
By then, the wind died down enough for the helicopter to return to the scene.
"The man's condition worsened as he was being raised out of the canyon. Once the man was out of the canyon, the medical flight crew administered lifesaving measures for nearly one hour before pronouncing the man dead at the scene," officials said.
The Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter responded due to difficult terrain to pull the rescue crews and their gear out of the area.
"Emery County Sheriff's Office expresses sincere condolences to the families and friends of these two men. We also appreciate all agencies who responded to these two tragic accidents," according to the statement.
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Ashley Imlay
