Rescuers extricate injured man who fell into open mine shaft in Iron County | News | stgeorgeutah.com

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An Iron County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle sits off-duty behind the department in Cedar City, Utah, May 8, 2024.

Emergency responders successfully rescued a man who fell into an open mine shaft in northwestern Iron County on Tuesday afternoon.

Shortly before 4 p.m., dispatchers received a report indicated that a man had fallen approximately 50 feet down a vertical mine shaft in a remote area of Hamlin Valley, Iron County Sheriff’s Lt. David Michell said in an emailed news release issued Thursday.

Personnel from Iron County Sheriff’s Office, Gold Cross Ambulance and Intermountain Life Flight were dispatched to the scene.

Image from a deputy's body camera shows responders at the scene where a man fell into an open mine shaft in a remote area of Iron County, Utah, Nov. 5, 2024.

“Upon arrival, responders found that the victim, a 49-year-old male, was responsive but incoherent,” the news release states, adding, “Given the conditions, the Iron County Sheriff’s Office Technical Ropes Rescue Team was activated to assist with the extraction efforts. Due to concerns about air quality in the mine, the St. George Fire Department’s Southwest Regional Confined Space Rescue team was also asked to assist.”

Although the Life Flight crew members were the first to arrive on scene and made the initial verbal contact with the injured man, they later had to leave to refuel the helicopter. Worsening weather conditions prevented them from returning to the site, the news release said, adding that Mercy Air was summoned but also declined to respond due to weather concerns.

Rescuers were able to lower a team member into the mine to assist the injured man, who had reportedly sustained a “significant” head injury.

“The team managed to secure the man onto a litter and began the ascent back to the surface,” Mitchell said, adding, “Upon reaching the surface, the victim’s condition deteriorated, necessitating immediate medical attention.”

The man was then transported by Gold Cross Ambulance to St. George Regional Hospital for treatment, Mitchell said, adding that he has not received further word about the man’s condition.

The entire rescue operation lasted almost nine hours, from the time of the initial call at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday until things wrapped up shortly after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Mitchell said.

The cause of the fall remains under investigation, he added.

“Preliminary information suggests that the man may have been preparing to descend into the mine when the edge gave way,” Mitchell said. “An examination of the site revealed disturbed soil and no signs of anchor failure, indicating potentially hazardous conditions.”

Mitchell added a reminder asking the public to be aware of the risks associated with abandoned mines and the importance of adhering to safety procedures and precautions.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement and other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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