Teenage boy survives 100ft fall throughout household journey to Grand Canyon

Aug 14, 2023 at 2:48 AM
Teenage boy survives 100ft fall throughout household journey to Grand Canyon

A 13-year-old boy has survived a 30m (100ft) fall throughout a household journey to the Grand Canyon.

Authorities mentioned it took emergency crews two hours to rescue Wyatt Kauffman after he slipped on the Bright Angel Point path on Tuesday.

The boy was airlifted to a Las Vegas hospital for therapy of 9 damaged vertebrae, a ruptured spleen, a collapsed lung, concussion, a damaged hand and a dislocated finger.

“I was up on the ledge and was moving out of the way so other people could take a picture,” Wyatt advised Phoenix TV station KPNX.

“I squatted down and was holding on to a rock. I solely 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 abseiled down the cliff to fetch 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,” Wyatt mentioned from hospital.

The boy’s father Brian was again at their house in North Dakota when he heard about his son’s fall and rescue.

“We’re extremely grateful for the work of everyone. Two hours is an eternity in a situation like that,” Mr Kauffman mentioned.

He mentioned Wyatt and his mom have been on a visit to go to the nationwide parks when the autumn occurred.

Mr Kauffman mentioned his son was discharged from the hospital on Saturday and was being pushed house.

“We’re just lucky we’re bringing our kid home in a car in the front seat instead of in a box,” Mr Kauffman advised KPNX.