Current:Home > ScamsNorth Dakota teen survives nearly 100-foot fall at North Rim of Grand Canyon-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
North Dakota teen survives nearly 100-foot fall at North Rim of Grand Canyon
is lotradecoin safe for beginners View Date:2024-12-26 01:41:10
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — A 13-year-old North Dakota boy has survived a fall of nearly 100 feet at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon during a family trip.
Authorities said it took emergency crews two hours to rescue Wyatt Kauffman after he slipped on a cliff Tuesday and plunged the nearly 100 feet (30 meters) at the Bright Angel Point trail.
The teenager was airlifted to a Las Vegas hospital for treatment of nine broken vertebrae plus a ruptured spleen, a collapsed lung, a concussion and a broken hand and dislocated finger.
“I was up on the ledge and was moving out of the way so other people could take a picture,” Kauffman told Phoenix TV station KPNX. “I squatted down and was holding on to a rock. I only had one hand on it.
“It wasn’t that good of a grip. It was kind of pushing me back. I lost my grip and started to fall back,” he added.
Rescue crews had to repel down the cliff and get the injured boy out of the canyon in a basket.
“I just remember somewhat waking up and being in the back of an ambulance and a helicopter and getting on a plane and getting here” to the hospital, said Kauffman, who lives in Casselton, North Dakota.
Brian Kauffman was in North Dakota when he heard about his son’s fall and rescue.
A National Park Service search and rescue team set up a rope rescue down to the steep and narrow trail and raised the teen safely to the rim.
“We’re extremely grateful for the work of everyone. Two hours is an eternity in a situation like that,” Brian Kauffman said.
He said Wyatt and his mother were on a trip to visit national parks when the Grand Canyon fall occurred.
Brian Kauffman said his son was discharged from the hospital Saturday and was being driven home. Wyatt and his mom were expected to reach Casselton on Tuesday.
“We’re just lucky we’re bringing our kid home in a car in the front seat instead of in a box,” Brian Kauffman told KPNX.
veryGood! (1953)
Related
- Wildfires are growing under climate change, and their smoke threatens farmworkers, study says
- Ukraine says more than 50 people killed as Russia bombs a grocery store and café
- German prosecutors say witness evidence so far doesn’t suggest a far-right leader was assaulted
- Georgia’s governor continues rollback of state gas and diesel taxes for another month
- Democrats try to block Green Party from presidential ballot in Wisconsin, citing legal issues
- Ukraine says more than 50 people killed as Russia bombs a grocery store and café
- Police identify vehicle and driver allegedly involved in fatal Illinois semi-truck crash
- Iowa Democrats announce plan for January caucus with delayed results in attempt to keep leadoff spot
- Big Georgia county to start charging some costs to people who challenge the eligibility of voters
- 'Our friend Willie': Final day to visit iconic 128-year-old mummy in Pennsylvania
Ranking
- Clint Eastwood's Son Scott Shares How Family Is Doing After Death of Christina Sandera
- Taiwan probes firms suspected of selling chip equipment to China’s Huawei despite US sanctions
- Retired Australian top judge and lawyers rebut opponents of Indigenous Voice
- 'Brooklyn Crime Novel' explores relationships among the borough's cultures and races
- Oklahoma city approves $7M settlement for man wrongfully imprisoned for decades
- Judge denies defendant's motion to dismiss Georgia election case over paperwork error
- What's plaguing Paris and why are Catholics gathering in Rome? Find out in the quiz
- Ivory Coast’s president removes the prime minister and dissolves the government in a major reshuffle
Recommendation
-
Rob Schneider seeks forgiveness from daughter Elle King after 'fat camp' claims
-
Migrants pass quickly through once impenetrable Darien jungle as governments scramble for answers
-
'Cat Person' and the problem with having sex with someone just to 'get it over with'
-
'Cat Person' and the problem with having sex with someone just to 'get it over with'
-
Millions of kids are still skipping school. Could the answer be recess — and a little cash?
-
Taiwan probes firms suspected of selling chip equipment to China’s Huawei despite US sanctions
-
EU summit to look at changes the bloc needs to make to welcome Ukraine, others as new members
-
KFOR commander calls on Kosovo and Serbia to return to talks to prevent future violence