18-year-old cliff jumper injured in 50-foot plunge from waterfall, Utah rescuers say

Two people required rescue after falling from cliffs at Gunlock Falls near St. George, including an 18-year-old girl who jumped 50 feet into shallow water, Utah officials reported.

Both rescues took place Saturday, June 17, the Washington County Sheriff Search & Rescue team said in a news release.

A man in his 40s fell from a cliff near the top of the fall and struck the cliff while plunging 30 to 40 feet to the water below, rescuers said.

Bystanders pulled the man, who suffered possible broken legs and a broken jaw, from the water before rescuers arrived to treat his injuries, the team said.

He was taken by helicopter to a hospital, the release said.

Later, an 18-year-old girl cliff-jumping with friends in a lower pool at the waterfall plunged 50 feet into shallow water, injuring her legs, rescuers said.

A search and rescue helicopter carried her to a medical helicopter to take her to a hospital, rescuers said.

“We have been seeing an increase in the number of injuries and drownings at Gunlock Falls the last couple months,” rescuers advised. “Please be careful if you decide to go visit.”

St. George is about 300 miles from Salt Lake City in the southwest corner of Utah.

This story was originally published June 18, 2023 at 1:35 PM with the headline "18-year-old cliff jumper injured in 50-foot plunge from waterfall, Utah rescuers say."