Air Force crew helps rescue injured Zion NP climber

The Associated Press

Published: September 4, 2013 12:15 pm
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Zion National Park, Utah • An Arizona man is recovering from a climbing accident so remote at Zion National Park that it took the Air Force to make a rescue in the dead of night.

Park officials say the 33-year-old climber was plucked from Behunin Canyon Tuesday by a helicopter and rescue squadron from Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.

Officials say the man's helmet probably saved his life, but a 100-foot fall left him with serious head and other injuries. He was set to make a rappel when he slipped untethered to a rope.

Park spokeswoman Aly Baltrus says the climber had surgery Tuesday at University Medical Trauma Center in Las Vegas.

Park rangers were notified by the man's group around 5 p.m. Monday, and the Air Force took him out by 2:23 a.m. Tuesday.

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