Midvale man killed in ATV accident in Big Cottonwood

BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON — An Midvale man was killed in a rollover accident on a popular trail near the top of Mineral Basin on Sunday.

Walter S. Engel, 74, died after he drove off the side of Mineral Fork Trail for an unknown reason, ended up on a steep hill, lost control and rolled, said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal. The ATV came to rest on top of Engel and Hoyal said Engel was not wearing a helmet.

There is no cell phone coverage in the area where the accident happened. Two others whom Engel was riding with, flagged down another ATV rider and asked him to make the half-hour trip to an area where there was cell phone reception and call 911. Hoyal said authorities received the call just before 10 a.m.

An Air Med helicopter, as well as search and rescue teams assisted Unified police in locating the man and removing him from the mountain.

— Pat Reavy, Wendy Leonard

Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam, wendyleonards