IVINS — The work of three different agencies of first responders came to the aid of a woman who fell while rapelling in the Johnson Canyon mountains above Snow Canyon State Park Thursday afternoon.
With Santa Clara-Ivins firefighters working from below, Washington County Search and Rescue from above and Utah Department of Public Safety’s Southern Utah Star 9 helicopter rescue team from way above, a 47-year-old woman was reached by all three “in the middle” after she fell around 2 p.m. while rapelling in the canyon, authorities said.
The woman, who reportedly suffered a fractured leg, ultimately was transported to St. George Regional Hospital from the site by her husband, first responders said.
“SAR High Angle went in from the top of the canyon. Ivins EMS went in from the bottom,” Sgt. Darrell Cashin, who oversees Washington County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, told St. George News via text. “Her leg was stabilized and Star 9 hoisted her out of the canyon. She was brought to the Johnson Arch Canyon trailhead.”
Santa Clara Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Con Fulde, who was on the scene, told St. George News that as the Utah Highway Patrol chopper landed, Santa Clara-Ivins firefighters received her and got to work to treat the climber who he said was not only suffering from the sharp pain but was soaked in ice-cold water from the recent rains that were pooled in the area she fell.
“That canyon still has a lot of water. It didn’t play a role in her accident but she was wet and cold,” Fulde said. “The husband and her had a long conversation and decided to self-transport.”
The rescue operation was completed by 5 p.m.
The rescue was a significant one for the Santa Clara-Ivins team, who have only recently undergone additional search and rescue training.
“This was the first time we launched our own climbing,” Fulde said. “Search and Rescue is still the major player. They do the heavy lifting. We’re just assisting. Those guys are spread out thin.”
Photo Gallery
Santa Clara-Ivins firefighters receive from Utah Department of Public Safety’s Southern Utah helicopter rescue team with a woman who had fallen in Johnson Canyon while repelling after retrieving her from the mountains above, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, March 3, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department, St. George News Santa Clara-Ivins firefighters receive from Utah Department of Public Safety’s Southern Utah helicopter rescue team with a woman who had fallen in Johnson Canyon while repelling after retrieving her from the mountains above, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, March 3, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department, St. George News Multiple first responder agencies are on hand to rescue a woman who had fallen in Johnson Canyon while repelling after retrieving her from the mountains above, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, March 3, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department, St. George News Multiple first responder agencies are on hand to rescue a woman who had fallen in Johnson Canyon while repelling after retrieving her from the mountains above, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, March 3, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department, St. George News Santa Clara-Ivins firefighters receive from Utah Department of Public Safety’s Southern Utah helicopter rescue team with a woman who had fallen in Johnson Canyon while repelling after retrieving her from the mountains above, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, March 3, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department, St. George News Utah Department of Public Safety’s Southern Utah helicopter rescue team flies in with a woman who had fallen in Johnson Canyon while repelling after retrieving her from the mountains above, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, March 3, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department, St. George News Santa Clara-Ivins firefighters work to help rescue a woman who had fallen in Johnson Canyon while repelling after retrieving her from the mountains above, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, March 3, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department, St. George News In a view from a Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department drone, firefighters work to help rescue a woman who had fallen in Johnson Canyon while repelling, Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, March 3, 2023 | Screenshot from video courtesy of Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department, St. George News
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