FLAGSTAFF, AZ (CBS5) -
An injured hiker from Switzerland was rescued Monday after spending two and half days trapped in a Flagstaff canyon, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office said.
The spot where he was found is known as Waterholes Canyon about five miles south of Page and is a tributary to the Colorado River.
The 35-year-old man from Zurich entered the canyon about noon on Friday with the intention of going just beyond the first rappel, according to sheriff's deputies. He carried one short length of rope that he used to go down the first dry waterfall, deputies said.
The man suffered rope burns to his hands during the maneuver and he injured his ankle when he realized he was unable to climb back up the rope to return to his vehicle, sheriff's deputies said. The hiker continued down the canyon using other ropes that he found, hoping to reach the Colorado River, investigators said. When he came to a 400-foot drop, he knew he was stuck in the canyon, deputies said. With no cell phone reception, he waited to be rescued.
The hiker's vehicle was located at the canyon trail head near Highway 89 by the Navajo Police Department earlier that morning after receiving a missing person report from the hiker's wife in Switzerland, deputies said.
A supervisor for the Page Division of the Coconino County Sheriff's Office and an Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer responded to the rim of the canyon and began walking to known locations and shouting out.
At about 5:45 p.m., just beyond the second set of drop-offs, the deputy and officer made voice contact with the hiker. Meanwhile, Coconino County sheriff's search and rescue personnel were activated and their technical rescue team was en route to the area.
DPS Air Rescue in Flagstaff was also called to help.
Eventually three rescuers descended into the canyon and met up with the hiker. He was evaluated and treated for his injuries and also given warm, dry clothing and warm fluids. Rescuers helped the man back to the rim of the canyon and he was taken to Page Hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was later transferred to Flagstaff Medical center for continued evaluation and care.
In all, 21 responders were on the scene and spent about 215 combined hours on the mission.
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