A breathtaking rescue operation unfolded in the dramatic red-rock canyons outside Moab, Utah, after a BASE jumper became trapped hundreds of feet above the ground, a dramatic incident captured on video.
The Perilous Cliffside Ordeal
The incident began on Wednesday afternoon in the rugged Kane Creek area. An unnamed BASE jumper slammed into a sheer canyon wall during a jump, becoming hopelessly stuck. The jumper was pinned against the rock face by their own rainbow-coloured parachute, a tiny, bright speck against the vast red cliff.
As winds tore at the tangled chute, the jumper managed to cling onto the rockface. With no viable way down and the situation increasingly dangerous, a massive multi-agency emergency response was triggered.
Grand County Emergency Services confirmed that officers were first called at 1:08 pm. However, the treacherous terrain meant that rescuers could not physically reach the stranded individual until 3:15 pm.
The Heart-Stopping Helicopter Hoist
The rescue escalated into a dramatic aerial operation. In a nearly 20-minute long video posted online, a first responder was seen being lowered from a helicopter directly toward the stranded BASE jumper.
Spectators watched from nearby trails as the rescuer, dangling from a helicopter winch, fought swirling winds and an unstable cliff face. The powerful downdraft from the chopper caused the colourful parachute to rip violently against the rock.
Once the rescuer reached the patient, it took another 45 heart-stopping minutes to provide advanced treatment for moderate injuries and secure them to prevent any further fall.
Finally, at 4:00 pm, the DPS Aero Bureau executed a flawless hoist, plucking the jumper off the cliff and carrying them to a landing zone. The individual was transferred to an ambulance in a stable, non-life-threatening condition.
Community and Aftermath
Among the responding personnel were four BASE jumpers who also serve on the Search and Rescue team, bringing unique expertise to the perilous situation.
Moab BASE Access, a local nonprofit, praised the heroic efforts in a statement. They acknowledged the inherent dangers of the sport, noting, 'BASE jumping is all fun and games until you are smashed up on the talus and need rescue and surgery.'
However, the group was also quick to provide context, emphasising that BASE-related incidents account for less than 5% of all Search and Rescue calls in Grand County over the past three years.
Grand County EMS stated that while this incident gained significant public attention due to its visibility from town, such complex rescues are part of their regular training and operations. 'It's a privilege to serve this community alongside such dedicated professionals, and to bring people home safely,' their statement concluded.
