Orem boy condition improves day after Bridal Veil Falls trail tumble

An 11-year-old Orem boy's condition had improved markedly and he was cleared for release from the hospital Monday, the day after he tumbled 200 feet from a trail near Utah County's Bridal Veil Falls.

Utah County sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon said Cesar Varvagan had initially been listed as critical with head, back and hip injuries after he stumbled just before 4 p.m. Sunday as he was descending the trail. Witnesses said the boy appeared to take a couple of hopping steps in an attempt to regain his balance, then fell off the trail on the rocky slope below.

"The trail up there is generally safe, if you are careful. Hundreds of people will be up there on a given day," Cannon said Monday. "That said, it is easy to take a misstep, and that appears to be what happened with this boy."

Indeed, the popular, scenic falls and its trails have been a familiar destination for search and rescue crews, who have already answered several calls there this year.

Varvagan was conscious and communicative — though he did not remember what had happened — as paramedics treated him and then brought him down to a helicopter for a flight to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims