Hiker Rescued After Fall In Wilbur Canyon Area

Published: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 - 10:03am
Updated: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 - 11:58am
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A Phoenix man is recovering after he was injured while canyoneering in a rugged area northeast of Sedona.

Gerry Blair of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office says the 45-year-old hiker was by himself in the Wilbur Canyon area when he apparently fell 100-to-200 feet. Blair says the man was forced to use his spot beacon to call for help, and deputies used a helicopter short haul rescue to pull him off the mountain.

“A short haul rescue involves the subject and rescuer suspended 150 feet below the helicopter and pulled from the scene to a location where the subject can be transferred to another medical provider,” Blair said.

He says the man was airlifted to a hospital with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. His name has not been released.