ST. GEORGE —Search and Rescue crews were busy on Saturday, responding to everything from a fallen person to an ATV crash and a report of a missing boy.
Deputy Brandon Lacagnina with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said dispatch received a call at 1:38 p.m. about a female on Wire Mesa Trail. They later found out she had fallen off her bike and sustained injuries.
“Just ground level, but when she fell I guess she hit a rock on her head,” Lacagnina said. “She was in some pain and couldn’t move too well.”
Lacagnina said DPS Star 9 Helicopter was called out, along with the Search and Rescue ground team. Hurricane Valley Fire Department was also on the scene providing assistance.
“Honestly, it went on without a hitch,” he said. “She wasn’t in bad shape or anything like that. We were able to walk her out. Walk her to the ambulance on the trail and she made her way to the hospital.”
The woman was transported by Gold Cross Ambulance to St. George Regional Hospital.
Just after clearing the Search and Rescue team off Wire Mesa Trail, Lacagnina said a mother called dispatch stating that she couldn’t find her 8-year-old son. At the time of the call, just before 4 p.m., she told emergency responders that she had seen him 15 minutes prior at their campsite.
“They did hear what sounded like their little boy yell ‘help’ at some point coming from the woods,” Lacagnina said. “They weren’t sure where he was at. But the family was searching for them. Due to the fact that I knew that there was running water going through those streams, time was kind of against us.”
Lacagnina, along with several patrol deputies, a K9 unit and a La Verkin officer, rushed to the top of the oak grove campsite.
Not knowing how fast or high the streams were flowing, responders immediately did a quick, broad search of the stream and surrounding areas. The Star 9 DPS helicopter quickly arrived and used high definition cameras to assist in the search. Forest Service rangers arrived to help along with DNR K9 from Cedar City. The search and Rescue ground team and swift water rescue team were also on the scene.
“We had a lot of people coming for this 8-year-old boy,” he said. “We needed all those resources to get there.”
According to the dispatch log, the U.S. Forest Service, DNR Wildlife, Search and Rescue, La Verkin Police Department, Star 9 Helocoper and Hurricane Valley Fire Department all responded to the incident.
After about an hour and a half of searching and resources arriving to assist, Lacagnina said a member of the Search and Rescue team was on his way up when he heard a little boy calling out for help.
“They went a little bit off the main road and were able to find him,” he said. “And where they were at, he was probably about a half a mile to a mile down the road from where we were searching.”
Lacagnina said the boy was covered in water from walking through the creek a few times but was in good spirits.
Other than a few minor scratches and a little scared from being lost, he was “OK.” Search and Rescue then met up with the deputy, who transported the boy back to be checked by medical staff. He was then reunited with his mother and family.
“Long story short, we found him,” Lacagnina said. “That was the best news, is that we found him and he was OK.”
With camping season here, Lacagnina warned outdoor enthusiasts to take precautions whenever possible. Being appropriately dressed and having enough resources for the outdoor activity is important, along with becoming familiar with the area beforehand and bringing a map.
“Try not to go anywhere alone, and if you do, let someone know where you go,” he said. “If you have small kids with you or a lot of families, it’s a little hard to keep track of everyone, but talk to your kids about safety in the woods. We want to prevent this from happening again. No one wants to hear that a child is lost on their own.”
A third call, at 7:48 p.m. came from a member of a trail-riding ATV club on Sand Mountain enjoying a guided tour when one of the participating ATVs flipped. Lacagnina was uncertain about the circumstances surrounding the crash. By the time most of his personnel arrived, Life Flight had already landed and Search and Rescue were assisting in loading the patient into the helicopter. The female rider was flown from Sand Mountain to St. George Regional Hospital.
While Lacagnina wasn’t personally on the scene, he said the female was conscious, breathing, alert and stable, according to statements heard over the radio.
“I believe her to be doing well,” he said.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue, State Parks, The Department of Natural Resources and Hurricane Valley Fire responded to the incident.
The fourth call came in just after 8 p.m. for a boater in distress at Newcastle Reservoir. Lt. Jeff Humphries of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office called it a “non-event,” stating that the wind blew a boat with multiple passengers to the opposite shoreline and occupants needed help getting back.
No injuries were reported and the situation was resolved quickly when the boaters went ashore and walked to the opposite side of the reservoir.
“The thing about lakes is that they always push you to shore, somewhere that may not be where you want to be,” Humphries added.
The above reports are based on statements from police and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Photo Gallery
First responders assist a biker who fell on Wire Mesa Trail near Springdale, Utah, May 13, 2023 | Photo via Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, St. George News
First responders assist a biker who fell on Wire Mesa Trail near Springdale, Utah, May 13, 2023 | Photo via Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, St. George News
First responders assist after a boy is reported missing at Oak Grove near Pine Valley, Utah, May 13, 2023 | Photo via Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, St. George News
First responders assist a biker who fell on Wire Mesa Trail near Springdale, Utah, May 13, 2023 | Photo via Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, St. George News
First responders assist a biker who fell on Wire Mesa Trail near Springdale, Utah, May 13, 2023 | Photo via Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, St. George News
First responders assist a biker who fell on Wire Mesa Trail near Springdale, Utah, May 13, 2023 | Photo via Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, St. George News
A boy goes missing during a camping trip with his family at the Oak Grove campground near Pine Valley, Utah, May 13, 2023 | Photo via Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, St. George News
First responders assist after a boy is reported missing at the Oak Grove campground near Pine Valley, Utah, May 13, 2023 | Photo via Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, St. George News
First responders assist after a boy is reported missing at the Oak Grove campground near Pine Valley, Utah, May 13, 2023 | Photo via Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, St. George News
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