A 14-year-old boy was rescued Tuesday after falling 70 feet from a cliff located at Bright Angel Point in the Grand Canyon, park officials said.
According to the National Park Service, a rescue team was dispatched after receiving an “over-the-edge” call on the North Rim. Once crews arrived at the scene, they found that the boy had fallen from a high distance.
Because a helicopter was not able to reach the boy due to his location, rescue teams had to use ropes to safely rescue him, said the authorities in a news release.
The boy was then flown to a pediatric trauma center for evaluation, where his condition was said to be stable. The park said that he is receiving further treatment for his injuries.
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Officials highlighted the intensive training that rescue teams undergo to prepare for the hundreds of calls like these they respond to every year.
“The park’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Team respond to, on average, more than 300 calls for service per year, ranging from heat illness to falls over the edge of the canyon,” said the park in their statement. “Successful rescues like this one highlight the necessity and skill of all rescue personnel.”
The parks service also cautioned visitors to remain safe and keep a distance of 10 feet away from the rim, explaining that the Bright Angel Point Trail is exposed, narrow, and surprisingly steep. They also warned against climbing over barriers in areas where there is a railing or fence.
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Additional reporting by Saman Shafiq
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