Trending Topics

Responders save Idaho man after 75-foot fall from cliff

One firefighter traversed the cliff face, waiting with the man until crews could extract him

The Idaho Statesman

KUNA, Idaho — Emergency responders rescued a 54-year-old man who fell about 75 feet down the steep decline at the Dedication Point overlook 15 miles south of Kuna on Swan Falls Road on Saturday.

The man was with family members walking along the top of the wall that overlooks the viewpoint when he tripped and fell over the wall and off the cliff, said John Charlton, captain with the Kuna Rural Fire District.

Kuna firefighters and Ada County deputies and paramedics were dispatched to the scene at 7:25 p.m. The man, who authorities haven’t named, was responsive when firefighters and deputies arrived but had injuries to his head and showed signs of internal injury.

Charlton said the man fell about 60 feet before trying to stand and falling another 15 feet down the steep embankment.

A Kuna firefighter traversed the incline and stayed with the man until teams came with rappelling gear.

“He was conscious but not aware of his surroundings,” Charlton said.

Specialized fire rescue units rappelled down the face of the cliff, loaded him onto equipment and brought him up to the overlook. The man was flown to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, where he was listed in stable condition.

The rescue operation took more than two hours, Charlton said.

“It’s a remote location, and very difficult to access,” he said. “It wasn’t a good place to fall and expect to receive any speedy help.”

———

©2014 The Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho)

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU