WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah, March 18, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials have identified a 13-year-old boy who was fatally injured Sunday afternoon when he fell while climbing in Snow Canyon State Park.
The deceased has been identified as Elijah Baldwin of Farragut, Iowa, said a news release from Utah State Parks spokesman Eugene Swalberg.
Utah State Park rangers, along with personnel from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue responded to the Pioneer Names portion of Snow Canyon State Park after receiving information that a fall happened involving the 13-year-old boy, the news release said.
The fall occurred sometime between 4:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., officials said.
“Elijah, along with his mother and other family members were recreating in the popular area of the park,” the news release said. “Elijah was free climbing at the time of the incident and it is believed he fell from between 75 and 100 feet. Free climbing is understood to mean he was scaling the rock cliffs without the use of climbing gear or protective equipment. Elijah received fatal injuries as a result of the fall.”
The Pioneer Names area has sheer cliffs, Swalberg said.
He added he did not know if the mother and the other two children witnessed the incident, but he said they were nearby when it happened.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue assisted in the recovery.
“Our sympathies go out to his family at this very difficult time,” the news release concludes. “Utah State Parks encourages visitors of all ages and abilities to enjoy the wonderful natural environment present in our parks. We also encourage them to take necessary precautions and to be familiar with their surroundings to help ensure a safe and enjoyable outing.”
