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Las Vegas first responders conduct seven-hour rescue of injured climber stranded 600 feet up rock face
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First responders in Nevada carried out a dramatic seven-hour rescue after a climber was seriously injured while stranded roughly 600 feet up a steep rock face near Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said search and rescue teams were notified around noon Saturday about an injured climber on the “Dream Safari” route along Dark Shadows Wall in Pine Creek.
Authorities said the climber had fallen an estimated 40 to 50 feet, suffering severe head and back injuries.
The victim’s climbing partner and a guide from another climbing party reached the injured climber and controlled the bleeding while awaiting rescue crews.
Rescuers secured the climber in a titanium litter and lowered the patient in stages down the rock face. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
Four search and rescue officers and a lead climb volunteer were inserted by the department’s AIR3 helicopter several hundred feet above the victim at the top of the route.
Rescuers then rappelled down the rock face, provided medical treatment while suspended mid-face, and secured the patient in a titanium litter.
Crews constructed a lowering system and brought the climber several hundred feet down to the ground through three separate lowering stations, with a rescuer attending to the patient during the descent.
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Las Vegas police search and rescue teams spent seven hours lowering an injured climber 600 feet to safety. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
Once at the base, additional volunteers carried the litter to an extraction point where the helicopter returned to airlift the victim to a Bureau of Land Management helipad.
The climber was then transferred to a ground ambulance and taken to a local hospital.
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The climber’s helmet was destroyed in the fall but likely saved the person’s life, officials said. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
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LVMPD wrote on Facebook that the entire operation lasted about seven hours from initial insertion to final extraction.
“Although the victim’s helmet was destroyed during the fall, it likely saved their life,” police said.
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NEW MEXICO (KRQE) — Four companies in New Mexico have been nominated for USA Today’s “Best Hot Air Balloon Ride” list for 2026. Voting is open now through June 1.
Here’s a look at the New Mexico nominees:
- Four Corners Balloon Rides (Albuquerque)
- “Four Corners Balloon Rides will get you soaring above Albuquerque in a hot air balloon. They fly smaller balloons with a capacity of up to 12 passengers, and you can opt between shared flights or a private charter, with flights running for about 45 minutes to an hour. You’ll see beautiful views of the Rio Grande Valley, the Sandia Mountains, and all of Albuquerque some 2,000 feet below you. The pilot, Daniel, has over 3,000 hours of flight time, so you’re ensured to be in good, safe hands. “
- Rainbow Ryders (Albuquerque)
- “As home to the International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque is one of the world’s most popular spots for hot air ballooning. Rainbow Ryders offers daily flights throughout the year, which have you floating above the high desert landscape of New Mexico, as well as the Phoenix-Scottsdale area. The company is also the official hot air balloon ride operator at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.“
- World Balloon (Albuquerque)
- “World Balloon in Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers both group and private hot air balloon flights throughout the year. On flights that usually last an hour, passengers can enjoy unmatched views of the Rio Grande River and Bosque or watch the sunrise over the city.”
- X-Treme-Lee Fun Balloon Adventures (Gallup)
- “X-Treme-Lee Fun Balloon Adventures provides a beautiful sunrise hot air balloon tour near Gallup, New Mexico. On journeys that typically last about an hour, passengers can enjoy views of scenic Red Rock Park’s canyons and spires.”
A total of 20 companies were nominated overall. Multiple companies in neighboring states were also nominated. Those include Above It All in Aspen, Colorado, Adventures Out West in Colorado Springs, Firebird Balloons in Phoenix, Grand Adventure Balloon Tours in Winter Park, Colorado, Hot Air Expeditions in Phoenix, and Red Rock Balloons in Sedona, Arizona.
The winner will be determined by readers’ votes. You can vote online.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The Oregon Department of Forestry is asking Oregonians to be careful when disposing of yard debris this spring.
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“There have already been 23 escaped debris burns for a total of 83 acres reported on ODF-protected land in 2026,” the agency said.
The agency said that at this time last year, it had responded to 37 escaped burns.
“More than 70% of wildfires every year in Oregon are human-caused, with escaped debris burns topping the list,” ODF said. “With record-low snowpack and an abnormally warm winter, forecasters are anticipating a hotter and drier summer than usual.”
The Central Oregon District of ODF has already declared the start of fire season.
On May 14, fire restrictions will go into effect for all Bureau of Land Management lands in Oregon and Washington.
“We are increasingly concerned that 2026 could rival the most extreme years on record for heat and dryness in the Pacific Northwest,” said Jeff Fedrizzi, assistant chief of operations for the Pacific Northwest, U.S. Wildland Fire Service. “Every visitor must understand that even one small spark can lead to a costly and destructive fire in these high-impact conditions.”
Officials say the restrictions will help reduce the risk of human-caused fires. BLM officials say anyone who violates the prohibition could be fined up to $100,000 and/or face up to 12 months in prison.
More information on fire season is available on the ODF website.
The Bureau of Land Management website has additional information on fire restrictions and closures.
UTAH COUNTY, May 11, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — Two males, ages 14 and 19, were transported to area hospitals Sunday after the side-by-side they were riding rolled down the side of a mountain.
Utah County Sheriff deputies and Santaquin police responded to the 6:07 p.m. call. Two medical helicopters were called to the scene, in the Pole Canyon area, as was a Department of Public Safety helicopter with a hoist in case it was needed, Sgt. Austin Edwards, Utah County Sheriff‘s Office, told Gephardt Daily.
“Eventually, rescue workers were able to make it to the spot on the hill where the vehicle had come to rest, and they were able to secure the victims, stabilize the victims, and get them back down the hill again to where the helicopters were waiting,” Edwards said.
“The 19-year-old male was transported to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, and the 14 year old was transported to Primary Children’s in Lehi.”
Both were said to have critical injuries, which were not considered to be life threatening, Edwards said.
“The cause of the rollover is still under investigation, so we don’t have that information available just yet.”
Photos: Utah County Sheriff
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