ST. GEORGE — A motorcyclist reported missing Sunday was found Monday in Warner Valley after being stranded for up to 20 hours.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team was sent out to find the motorcyclist on Sunday following a report he had failed to make it home that afternoon, according to a press release.
While riding around the area, the motorcyclist, a 41-year-old man, reportedly fell 15-20 feet into a slot canyon and was in serious condition after he was found Monday morning.
The county search and rescue team, along with the Star 9, a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter stationed out of the St. George Regional Airport, searched for the man from Sunday afternoon until 3:30 a.m. Monday when the search was suspended.
The search resumed between 7 and 8 a.m. with the man located around 8:30 a.m. He was hoisted out of the slot canyon by Star 9, according to the press release.
Once retrieved, the man was treated and stabilized by the Intermountain Health’s Life Flight helicopter’s medical crew who had been called in, He was subsequently flown to St. George Regional Hospital for further care.
“The family has requested privacy and the male’s name will not be released at this time,” the press release states.
The motorcycle was also retrieved and returned to the rider’s family.
Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Darrell Cashin previously told St. George News that the addition of Star 9 to the county’s search and rescue resources has proven a great benefit to the region overall. It has also helped relieve some of the use of the Life Flight helicopter, he said, which was often called upon to aid in search and rescue operations prior to the DPS helicopter’s arrival last summer.
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