Though visitation to Zion National Park reportedly has fallen greatly since the park's campgrounds and lodge were closed, rangers on Thursday had to rescue two area residents who suffered injuries in the park.
The incidents involved a 20-year-old Springdale, Utah, man who injured an ankle while scrambling off-route on the Watchman, a towering monolith that soars 2,500 feet above the Zion Canyon floor, and a 56-year-old Kanab, Utah, woman, who had fallen on the Canyon Overlook Trail and "had a serious lower leg injury."
The case involving the young man was actually called in late Wednesday afternoon. Due to the technical rescue and the lateness in the day, the man and his two climbing partners spent the night on Watchman, a park release said. A three-person technical Search and Rescue team was dispatched early Thursday and was able to help the three rappel down by early afternoon. The injured man refused medical treatment.
Within a half hour of the technical rescue’s completion, a call came in regarding the Kanab woman. Two medics and a crew of seven responded to assist with the carry out, including the three from the earlier rescue. The victim was transported by park ambulance to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah.
While many other national parks have closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the National Park Service has kept Zion open.
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