ST. GEORGE — The Washington City Police officer found seriously injured at the bottom of a 20-foot slot canyon in the Warner Valley area following a motorcycle crash in March was released after spending more than a month in the hospital. A crowd of family members and fellow officers gathered to welcome him home.
Brad Coleman, 41, who works as a police officer in Washington City, left St. George Regional Hospital on Tuesday and was greeted by police officers and patrol units from multiple agencies.
A video capturing the homecoming can be viewed at the top of this report.
Coleman spent more than five weeks in the hospital being treated for multiple injuries sustained during the incident last month.
The incident was reported on March 13, when Coleman failed to return home from a planned group ride that included the off-duty officer and several friends. They were not able to meet up, so Coleman went on the ride by himself.
After he was reported missing — and an extensive multiagency search by ground and air — he was found the following day, severely injured and lying on the canyon floor more than 20 feet below a cliff.
He was flown to St. George Regional Hospital where he would be treated for multiple fractures, including a fractured femur, scapula and broken ribs. He also sustained a head wound in the crash, Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams told St. George News.
Coleman will continue to undergo intensive physical therapy for months to come. Overall, the outlook is positive and doctors anticipate a full recovery, Williams said.
This report is based on statements from police and emergency personnel and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Photo gallery
Family and fellow officers gather to welcome home Washington City Police Officer Brad Coleman following his release from the hospital Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Washington City, Utah | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. George News Family and fellow officers gather to welcome home Washington City Police Officer Brad Coleman following his release from the hospital Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Washington City, Utah | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. George News Family and fellow officers gather to welcome home Washington City Police Officer Brad Coleman following his release from the hospital Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Washington City, Utah | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. George News Family and fellow officers gather to welcome home Washington City Police Officer Brad Coleman following his release from the hospital Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Washington City, Utah | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. George News 
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