A 37-year-old man was rescued and airlifted from American Fork Canyon Wednesday night after falling roughly 20 feet near Little Mill, according to Utah County Search and Rescue officials.
The Incident
The climber was with a group when he reportedly collided with another person mid-climb, sending both tumbling. The impact caused one climber to fall a significant distance down the rocky terrain.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the area shortly after the accident was reported. Given the rugged canyon landscape and the victim’s location, Utah County Search and Rescue requested helicopter support from the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) to safely extract the injured man.
The Rescue
After locating the climber, rescue teams stabilized him on-scene and airlifted him to a waiting ambulance at the canyon’s base. From there, he was transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
Authorities have not yet released details about the severity of his injuries or his current condition, but officials confirmed that the operation was completed successfully without further incident.
Canyon Safety Reminder
American Fork Canyon remains one of Utah’s most popular destinations for outdoor climbing, but local officials continue to emphasize caution and communication among climbers. Falls and collisions often occur when multiple groups are sharing routes or when weather and lighting conditions change quickly.
Utah County Search and Rescue urges visitors to:
- Double-check all harnesses, carabiners, and ropes before climbing.
- Maintain clear communication between partners and nearby climbers.
- Be aware of rockfall and crowding in popular climbing areas.
- Always carry emergency supplies and know the coordinates of your climbing spot in case rescue is needed.
As of Thursday morning, officials said an investigation into the exact cause of the collision and fall is still underway.
