SAR Incident Synopsis
for May 15th, 2023 through June 19th, 2023
Sheriff Brooksby,
Below is the SAR Report from May 15th, 2023 through June 19th, 2023
June 2023 Report
Total calls this report – 27
Total SAR calls 2023 – 84
Total Man Hours this report – 583
Rescued Subjects
In County Residence – 9
Out of County (Utah) Residence – 14
Out of Utah – 8
International – 0
05/19/2023 @ 1240, Injured Hiker, Snow Canyon, Is. in the Sky – Man Hours – 6
SAR units responded to a 60 year old female that broke her ankle at the base of Island in
the Sky. Ivins EMS hiked in and stabilized the injury. SAR arrived as they were getting
back to the ambulance. She was taken to SGRH for treatment.
05/20/2023 @ 1330, Ill Hiker, Snow Canyon, Butterfly Trail – Man Hours – 14
SAR responded to Snow Canyon State Park near Butterfly Trail on a report of a 24 year
old female who’s legs were seizing and needed help getting back to her vehicle. The female
and her party were located and an access road was utilized to remove the individuals
from the area and return them to their vehicle. The female declined medical evaluation.
05/21/2023 @ 1015, Stranded Swimmers, Bloomington, Virgin River – Man Hours – 12
SAR responded to St. George near Bloomington Walmart on a report of a 46 year old and
10 year old males stranded on a sand bar in the middle of the Virgin River. Two team
members swam to the sand bar. Throw bags and life jackets were utilized to safely get the
two subjects back across the river. Neither reported any medical problems. They were
given a ride back to their house by a SAR member.
05/21/2023 @ 1330, Drowning – Gunlock Falls– Man Hours – 8
Deputies and SAR responded to a drowning at Gunlock Falls. A 12 year old female was
unconscious and in the falls. EMS and deputies carried the subject to Life Flight. She
was taken to SGRH. She did survive and was released later that day.
05/24/2023 @ 1010, Injured Hiker, Aspiration Trail – Man Hours – 24
SAR responded to a 64 year old female on Aspiration Trail. The hiker had an injured
ankle. The female was carried out on a stokes by SAR personnel. She was taken by
ambulance to SGRH.
05/24/2023 @ 1056, Injured Hiker, Johnson Canyon Tr., Snow Canyon – Man Hours – 12
SAR responded to Johnson Canyon Trail on a report of a 76 year old female, The subject
tripped and fell causing her to hit her face. IC was established at the Johnson Canyon
Trail head. Medical units from SAR and Santa Clara Ivins Fire made contact with the
female. The subject elected to hike out with the assistance of SAR personnel. The patient
declined further medical evaluation.
05/24/2023 @ 1525, Injured Kayaker, Babylon Area – Man Hours – 38
SAR responded to a 37 year old female and 19 year old male on the river near Babylon
Arch Trail. The female got stuck in a current and fell. The male was reported as missing
on the river. SAR arrived and made contact with female. STAR 9 was utilized to locate
the male and transport both patients to the IC. One female was transported to St George
Regional Hospital for her injuries.
05/25/2023 @ 1719, Vehicle Rollover, Little Creek Mesa – Man Hours – 32
SAR responded to a report of a rollover accident on Little Creek Mesa Rd. The 33 year
old male was attempting to help a family member who was stuck on the road up the north
side of the Mesa. The driver appeared to have rolled off the edge of the cliff going
approximately 200 feet down a steep incline before coming to a stop. The driver was
evaluated by medical and transported to the hospital. Search and Rescue also assisted
with getting the other family members unstuck. All SAR units were accounted for and
cleared the scene.
05/26/2023 @ Stranded in River, Virgin River, Bloomington – Man Hours – 16
SAR responded to an area of the Virgin River in St. George for a 33 year old male laying
on a sand bar in the middle of the River. The male was non-compliant and potentially a
risk to SAR members. SAR remained on scene on standby. The male jumped into the
river and swam to shore. He was arrested by St. George Police.
05/26/2023 @ 1500, Injured Hiker – Water Canyon – Man Hours – 24
SAR responded to a 38 year old female that was injured while hiking in Water Canyon.
IC was set up in coordination with Hildale Fire. Due to the subjects location, DPS Star 9
cal called to assist. Star 9 located the subject and lifted her out. She was brought to EMS
and taken to SGRH for treatment.
05/27/2023 @ 1540, Ledged Hiker, Rockville Area – Man Hours – 42
SAR responded to the Rockville area on a report of a 76 year old male hiker that was
stuck on the edge of a cliff. The Search and Rescue high angle team was dispatched to the
call. SAR high angle was able to get to the male and safely get him down the cliff. He was
released to his family.
05/27/2023 @ 1643, UTV Accident, Sand Mountain – Man Hours – 20
SAR responded to the Hurricane Sand Dunes on a UTV accident. SAR and Hurricane
Fire located the 24 year old and 19 year old males. They were evaluated by EMS and
transported in a side by side. SAR members assisted with the transport from the site of
the accident to the ambulance. Both patients were transported by medical.
05/28/2023 @ 1610, UTV Accident, Sand Mountain – Man Hours – 18
SAR responded to a UTV Accident on the Hurricane Sand Dunes. SAR responded in
with EMS and Deputies. They arrived, evaluated the 25 year old male, and call for Life
Flight to respond. SAR assisted with securing the patient to a back board and
transporting to the waiting helicopter. The male was flown to SGRH for treatment.
05/28/2023 @ 1642, Aircraft Crash, South of Enterprise – Man Hours – 18
Deputies and SAR responded to a report of a small aircraft crash in the mountains south
of Enterprise. Enterprise Fire Dept. was able to locate the 49 year old pilot and make sure
he was okay. The pilot refused medical attention and left in a private vehicle. The FAA
will contact deputies when they are ready to get information they need. The pilot was
informed he needed to arrange for the aircraft to be picked up.
05/28/2023 @ 2015, Ill Horse Rider, Toquerville Falls – Man Hours – 12
SAR and Deputies responded to a 16 year old male that was dehydrated at the Toquerville
Falls. Two Hurricane Fire EMT’s were taken in a side by side to the falls. DPS Star 9 was
requested to respond for patient transport. SAR transported the patient to Star 9’s
location for transport to a waiting ambulance located at the Toquerville church. The
male was taken to SGRH for treatment.
05/29/2023, @ 1010, Fall, Gunlock Falls – Man Hours – 18
SAR responded to a report of a 51 year old female who had dislocated her knee at
Gunlock Falls. SAR units in conjunction with Santa Clara Medical units responded and
evaluated the patient. The patient was then loaded in a stokes basket and carried to the
ambulance where she was loaded and transported to the hospital.
06/03/2023 @ 0950, Fall, Gunlock Falls – Man Hours – 20
SAR responded to a 59 year old female that fell while climbing on the spillway. The
subject had a possible ankle fracture. Dammeron Fire and Washington County SAR were
able to reach the victim and bring her to the top of the dam. The victim was treated by
Fire/EMS and she refused medical transport.
06/03/2023 @ 1345, Stranded Climbers, Snow Canyon – Man Hours – 44
SAR was deployed to rescue two people, a 22 year old male and 22 year old female, stuck
on the cliff face at Island in the Sky. They had repelled part way down but had become
stuck when their ropes snagged. They were unable to ascend or descend. STAR 9 was
called from Fish Lake with the hopes of dropping SAR personnel at the top of the cliff
while SAR climbers came from the bottom. SAR climbers were able to get to the stuck
climbers and help them descend without incident. The climbers rope was abandoned in
the interest of safety. Both climbers were assessed by SAR medical and released.
06/04/2023 @ 1140, Drowning, Gunlock Falls – Man Hours – 24
SAR responded to Gunlock Falls on a report of a 23 year old male who had drowned.
SAR units in conjunction with Santa Clara Medical units responded to the patient and
did an assessment. Life Flight landed on the Dam and the patient was carried to the
helicopter, loaded up, and flown to the hospital. All SAR units were accounted for and
cleared the scene.
06/04/2023 @ 1917, Boat Incident, Sand Hollow State Park – Man Hours – 14
SAR responded to Sand Hollow Reservoir on a report of seven individuals who were in
the water after their boat began sinking. Prior to SAR getting on scene, Rangers were
able to rescue the patients, leaving the boat to sink, and took them to the ambulance to be
evaluated. All patients declined medical evaluation. Search and Rescue team members in
conjunction with rangers responded back to the location of the boat, which was still
partially above the surface of the water, and towed it back to shore. All SAR members
were accounted for and cleared the scene.
06/08/2023 @ 1000, Ledged Hiker, Red Cliff’s Recreation Area – Man Hours – 36
SAR responded to a report of a 21 year old male stuck on the edge of a mountain. The
SAR High angle team was paged out. The male was told to stay put and help was on the
way. The male indicated he had no injuries and he was just stuck. SAR High Angle
members were able to climb above the male, set up anchors, and repel down to the male.
SAR members were able to repel down with the male without incident.
06/19/2023 @ 1720, Lost Hiker, Peter’s Leap – Man Hours – 4
SAR deputies responded to a 57 year old male that was lost on Peter’s Leap Trail. He was
out of water and could find his way back. He was located about 1 mile up the trail and
given water. He was given a ride back to his vehicle. He refused medical care.
06/19/2023 @ 1853, Lost Hiker, Taylor’s Creek, Kolob Canyon – Man Hours – 8
SAR responded to a missing 7 year old male on Taylor’s Creek. SAR set up at the trail
head and was notified by Zion Rangers that the subject had been located. SAR cleared
the incident.
06/11/2023 @ 1200, Lost Hikers, The Vortex, Lower Sand Cove – Man Hours – 28
SAR responded to a lost 65 year old male in the Vortex. The subject stated he could not
find his way back to the other hikers. SAR deployed and located the subject. He was led
back to the trail head and released.
06/17/2023 @ 1115, Fall, Gunlock Falls – Man Hours – 18
SAR responded to a report of a 43 year old male who had fallen off a cliff at the top of
Gunlock Falls. SAR and EMS located the male and stabilized him. They carried him in a
stokes basket to the Life Flight helicopter where he was loaded and transported to the
hospital. All SAR units were accounted for and cleared the scene.
06/17/2023 @ 1446, Fall, Gunlock Falls – Man Hours – 45
SAR responded to an 18 year old female that jumped off the falls. The female had a
severe leg injury. SAR and EMS got to her and stabilized her injuries. DPS STAR 9 lifted
her out of the bottom of the cliffs and delivered her to Life Flight. She was transported to
St. George Regional Hospital for her injuries.
06/18/2023 @ 1633, Ill Hiker, South of Cove Wash Trail – Man Hours – 28
SAR responded to a 50 year old male lost near Cove Wash Trail head. Search and Rescue
deployed, along with Mercy Air Helicopter. The male stated he was feeling ill and was out
of water for over four hours. The male was located and transported by Mercy Air to St
George Regional Hospital.