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John Daley ReportingSearch and rescue crews were back up in a canyon east of Salt Lake today helping to bring down an injured rock climber. This summer has been busier than last summer for search and rescue crews, but so far this year Salt Lake County reports 32 rescues, which is about average.
This latest accident happened in Little Cottonwood Canyon about a mile or two up the canyon from the mouth. According to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department, this morning 25-year-old Raymond Berry from Salt Lake fell about 25 feet climbing in the Coal Pit Gulch. He suffered cuts on his face--and a broken wrist.
Search and rescue crews headed up to get him -- an effort which took several hours because the terrain is steep and treacherous.
Sgt. Rosie Rivera, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Dept.: "There are some waterfalls beneath him and it makes it very risky for him to come out on his own. So search and rescue are going to have to bring him off the mountain."
Rivera says there have been 32 rescues so far this year. June was relatively quiet while July has been about as busy as normal for rescue crews. One interesting thing to note is that this is the county's sixth waterfall rescue this year, which is more than usual. And with slippery rocks to contend with, those waterfall rescues tend to be more dangerous and more technical.
