Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
MAPLETON — Authorities say a man who got stranded while riding his dirt bike Sunday in Maple Canyon died due to hypothermia and other medical conditions before rescue crews could find him.
The man, who police identified as 65-year-old Blake Dean Baxter, rode up the canyon about 2 p.m. Sunday. When his dirt bike got stuck at about 8,200 feet elevation, Baxter contacted his family about 8 p.m. before his cellphone died and said he was going to hike down the canyon, Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon said.
"When he did not return, family members made the emergency call. SAR team members responded by foot and single track to begin the search in what quickly became whiteout conditions," Cannon said.
65 year old Blake Dean Baxter found dead after @UCSO_SAR, Mounted Posse, @UtahDPS and @UTNationalGuard helicopters searched Maple Canyon. Hypothermia and medical condition may be factors in this death. https://t.co/eLkDxvEd8spic.twitter.com/sw1nG93pB0
— Utah County Sheriff (@UCSO) May 9, 2022
Officials said Baxter had a medical condition, which made the search more urgent. Two helicopters, one from the Department of Public Safety and one from the sheriff's office, assisted the search, as well as the Utah National Guard and other teams.
They found Baxter's motorcycle at 8,200 feet elevation, but they weren't able to reach him.
The difficult terrain and weather also complicated the search. Early Monday, the near "whiteout" conditions forced the crews to temporarily suspend the search. When they returned, they found a few inches of new snow on the motorcycle and footprints covered by the snow, Cannon said.
Authorities announced they found Baxter's body by 1 p.m.
"We offer our sincerest condolences to his family members. Despite all our efforts, some things are out of our control. We hope at the very least some comfort and closure will be given to his loved ones," the Utah County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
