Wyoming woman gives thanks to first responders after rescue from LaVerkin cliff plummet

Written by Stephanie DeGraw
August 16, 2024
Karen Conner was airlifted by Life Flight April 23 to the St. George Regional Hospital Life Flight, St. George, Utah, August 15, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Brad Gillman, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Karen Conner, 58, never expected a simple stroll with her husband and three dogs to become a major ordeal. The Lander, Wyoming resident was walking above the LaVerkin Overlook when she smelled something “very stinky.” She went to investigate, tripping on a rock and falling headfirst down the side of a cliff on April 23.

Karen Conner thanked the St. George Regional Hospital Life Flight staff, St. George, Utah, August 15, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Brad Gillman, St. George News

On Wednesday, a reunion was held with the St. George Regional Hospital trauma care unit with the Life Flight staff that cared for her. Conner happily drove eight hours to thank her rescuers and nurses.

A critical care nurse for 28 years, she felt it was important to thank her caregivers.

“I know from being a nurse for a long time, you don’t ever know about people after they leave your care. It’s very, very rare,” Conner said. “I’ve only had one in the 28 years I’ve been a nurse that came back to see me in the ICU and that left a huge impression on me. I wanted to let them know what a big difference they made to me and my family.”

When Connor fell more than 40 feet, only a ledge kept her from falling further into the Virgin River below. Her husband called 911 and the St. George Regional Hospital Intermountain Life Flight helicopter was dispatched for the rescue. The crew used a basket and ropes to lift her from a precarious side of the cliff and transport her to the hospital.

Conner’s spine and neck were broken in multiple places. She also fractured several bones in her right leg and left ankle, received a severe head injury, and multiple cuts and bruises.

“I felt very grateful I was still alive and not paralyzed,” said Conner. “Intermountain Health did a great job putting a mess back together.”

Karen Conner after falling off a cliff in April came back on in August to the St. George Regional Hospital to thank the staff for helping her recover, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Karen Conner, St. George News

In addition to her hospital stay, she spent a month in Coral Desert Rehabilitation, another group of caregivers she credited for her successful recovery.

“This was great to see her today,” Life Flight registered nurse Rylee Olsen said. “We see some harsh things, sometimes on a daily basis. So, to see someone afterward and to see how she has healed, that is uplifting to us.”

In an email to St. George News,  St. George Regional Hospital Media Relations Lead Brad Gillman stated that high-level falls are now the second leading cause of injury in Southern Utah, surpassing motor vehicle crashes.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie DeGraw is an award-winning journalist. For 25 years, she engaged in journalism, broadcasting and public relations. DeGraw worked for the Salt Lake Tribune, Associated Press and The City Journals. She was a reporter for a CBS television station in Twin Falls, Idaho. She graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Broadcasting.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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