Rock climber injured when he falls 15 feet

A 21-year-old rock climber was seriously injured Saturday when he fell 15 feet while leading a technical climb in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Daniel M. Filler had placed three anchors in the rock, and when he fell the top anchor came loose, ripping out the other two, said Lt. Paul Jaroscak, spokesman for the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. The accident happened about 10:15 a.m. while Filler was climbing in an area near the Hell Gate condominiums between Alta and Snowbird. Filler was with friends, who called 911, Jaroscak said.

Firefighters managed to stabilize Filler, and a search and rescue team lowered him down the steep slope. Filler was not wearing a helmet, Jaroscak said. He was taken by ambulance to University Hospital, where he was treated for injuries to his head, left shoulder, left ankle and left side, Jaroscak said. The rescue was completed within four hours.