News Release

Zion Park Rangers Respond to Two SARs Thursday

Date: March 26, 2020
Contact: Aly Baltrus

Springdale, UT – Zion National Park’s Search and Rescue Crew responded to two separate Search and Rescue (SAR) calls today, Thursday, March 26, 2020.

The first was called in late in the afternoon on Wednesday, March 25, from an off trail scrambling route on the Watchman, a large monolith rising 2500 feet above the floor of Zion Canyon. A 20-year-old man, from Springdale, UT, had injured his ankle. Due to the technical rescue and the lateness in the day, the patient, and his two climbing partners, spent the night on Watchman. A three-person technical Search and Rescue team were dispatched early in the morning and were able to help the patient and his companions rappel down by early afternoon. The injured man refused medical treatment.

Within a half hour of the technical rescue’s completion, a call came in regarding a 56-year-old female from Kanab, UT, who had fallen on the Canyon Overlook Trail and had a serious lower leg injury. Two medics and a crew of seven responded to assist with the carry out, including the three from the earlier rescue. The victim was transported by park ambulance to Dixie Regional Medical Center.