Climber rescued from rocky ledge after 30-foot fall

SANDY — A 22-year-old man who fell onto a steep, rocky ledge, where he lay for more than four hours, was rescued late Saturday night.

The man was climbing with a friend and a relative above the waterfall near Rocky Mountain Trailhead, about 11300 South and 3150 East, at about 7:45 p.m. When he grabbed a rock to pull himself up, the rock gave way, and the man fell 30 feet to a steep ledge.

Crews from Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, Unified Fire Authority and Sandy Fire set up a 200-rope system in what they called a "high angle rescue" off the cliff side. Rescuers had to lower themselves down 75 feet to where the man was. There they stabilized him, administering an IV to him to ease his pain. They then lowered a basket, loaded him in it and continued to lower the basket the remaining 125 feet to the trailhead.

The man, who suffered a broken leg and was in stable condition, was taken by ambulance at 11:15 p.m. and then flown by helicopter to a local hospital.

Rescuers described the area as very difficult terrain.