Couple on hiking date fall near waterfall in Bells Canyon; man critically injured, woman missing

SANDY — A romantic outing in Bells Canyon turned treacherous Saturday when a couple hiking near a waterfall fell, leaving the man in critical condition and the woman still missing.

Joseph Clark, 24, of Sandy, and 26-year-old Kimberly Evans of Holladay were on a date hiking near a waterfall above Bells Canyon Reservoir when they came to a stream. Clark slipped and fell down the falls, said Unified Police Lt. Don Hutson. He said Clark and Evans were both struggling to stand their ground when Clark lost his footing and fell over the falls, sustaining injuries to his head and hip. Search-and-rescue crews were able to locate Clark, and he was transported by medical helicopter to Intermountain Medical Center in critical condition.

Evans was not found, Hutson said.

Clark said he last saw his date as he was going over the edge of the waterfall. Hutson said nobody saw Evans slip and tumble down the waterfall but that "all indications are that's where she is."

Hutson said approximately 50 to 75 people searched for Evans until about 8 p.m.

"We're still looking in all areas, and we're using sticks and probes, trying to break free a bunch of debris," Hutson said.

The search will continue today at 7 a.m.

Hutson said there had been a sighting of a hat and a backpack, but they were able to determine that the woman was not carrying a backpack or wearing a hat.

This is the second fall from the same area in a week, Hutson said. A 58-year-old South Jordan man fell 40 feet while hiking near a Bells Canyon waterfall June 20. He sustained multiple broken bones and head injuries before becoming caught in some logs below the falls. Rescue crews were later able to free the man, and he was transported to an area hospital.

Hutson said that while the area is "very dangerous and very popular," those who monitor the area couldn't recall any incidents as serious as these.

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