Hiker rescued from above Boulder Falls

Boulder County, Colo. -

On Sunday, August 2, 2020 at approximately 5:13 p.m. the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a hiker who had fallen approximately 25 feet in the area above Boulder Falls.

The 21-year-old hiker, from Pandora, OH, was with a friend and descending a rock face without technical climbing gear. He lost his footing and fell 25 feet to the ground. The friend was able to safely access the injured party and summoned assistance from other hikers in the area who were able to stabilize the patient. Other hikers in the area volunteered to drive down Boulder Canyon to call 911.

Rescuers were led into the patient and begin providing medical care. The patient was then placed in a litter and carried to the top of the Falls. The litter was placed on a high-line and lowered over the Falls to the trail. Rescuers then carried the patient to an awaiting helicopter.

Due to low level lightning in the area the patient had to be moved from the helicopter to a ground ambulance where he was transported to a Boulder area hospital. The total rescue took approximately five hours to complete.

Agencies assisting with this rescue effort included: Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, American Medical Response, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, Colorado State Patrol, Med Evac, Nederland Fire Protection District, the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, and Sugarloaf Fire Protection District.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff's Office case number is: #20-3393

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/s/ Emergency Services Coordinator - Kelly Lucy