Overview
- A family hike near Moab turned into a rescue when a parent fell about 70–80 feet in the Pritchett Canyon area and tumbled another 50 feet on slickrock.
- With no cell service, the other adult used an iPhone’s satellite SOS to text 911, and an Intermountain Health helicopter landed about 150 yards from the patient within roughly five minutes.
- Grand County teams ran a technical rope operation on steep slickrock using drilled anchors, ropes and descent gear, and they kept contact with the emergency center through a flown‑in Starlink link.
- The patient suffered open fractures and possible internal injuries and was airlifted in critical condition after a three‑hour effort that officials said would have taken 10–12 hours without helicopters.
- Officials warned that many Moab cliff edges appear to slope gently before dropping vertical and urged caution in remote terrain where long, rough approaches can slow help.