A UTV rider lost control of their side-by-side vehicle near Hot Sulphur Springs late Friday night and fell roughly 250 feet down a steep, rocky embankment, triggering an hours-long rope rescue in the dark. Grand County Search and Rescue crews responded to the crash shortly before 11:30 p.m. on September 18, and the rider was eventually hauled back to the trail before being taken for further medical treatment.
According to The Denver Post, the rider lost control of the UTV and fell roughly 250 feet down the steep embankment near Hot Sulphur Springs in Grand County. Reaching the rider required more than muscle — first responders used several rope systems to lower equipment, medical supplies and rescuers down to the injured person, then used those same systems to lift the rider back up to the trail, the outlet reports.
A Multi-Agency Response In Rough Terrain
Twelve search-and-rescue personnel responded to the scene, joined by crews from Grand County EMS, Union Pacific Railroad, Hot Sulphur Springs Fire and the Grand County Sheriff's Office, according to the Denver Gazette. That mix of agencies underscores how technical the terrain near the embankment proved to be, requiring specialized rope work rather than a straightforward ground evacuation.
Once the rider was raised back to the trail, they were transported for additional medical care, the Denver Gazette's report notes. The rescue effort stretched well into the early morning, with the mission concluding and all rescuers safely out of the field by about 4 a.m. on September 19, per the same account.
Rider's Condition Still Unknown
As of the latest reporting, authorities had not released information on the rider's condition, according to CBS News Colorado. No further details about the rider's identity or the exact circumstances that led to the loss of control have been made public.
Search And Rescue's Safety Reminder
In the wake of the crash, Grand County Search and Rescue urged UTV riders to know their limits and to ride at a speed suitable to the terrain they're navigating. The agency also recommended that riders wear a helmet and seatbelt every time they head out, a reminder that carries extra weight given how far this rider fell before help could reach them.
