Injured hiker rescued from Red Rock Canyon

Las Vegas Review-Journal

4 years ago

A climber is lifted to safety by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department search and rescue aft ... — A climber is lifted to safety by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department search and rescue after he fell and seriously injured his leg at Pine Creek Canyon on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Metropolitan Police Department search and rescue lowers a climber to an extraction point after he fell and seriously injured his leg at Pine Creek Canyon on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue responds to the scene where a climber fell and seriously injured his leg at Pine Creek Canyon on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

A Metropolitan Police Department search and rescue helicopter prepares to extract a climber that fell and seriously injured his leg at Pine Creek Canyon on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

A 55-year-old man with an injured leg was rescued by helicopter Monday in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Four hikers were about 1 mile into the Pine Creek Canyon trail at about 9:30 a.m. when they called 911 to report a man down with a “serious leg fracture,” according to the Las Vegas Fire Department.

When fire crews realized they could not safely climb to the injured hiker, the Metropolitan Police Department’s search and rescue team took over, using a helicopter. Metro Lt. Brian Boxler said the injured man was brought down to safety and taken to a hospital by about 3:30 p.m.

Although Monday’s rescue involved an injury, most hiking rescues are prompted by dehydration, said Donald Moore, team commander for Red Rock Search and Rescue, a volunteer organization. He said it’s important hikers bring extra water, food and clothes, just in case.

He also recommended items including a map or GPS device that’s not a cellphone, a first-aid kit and a flashlight or headlamp, and he suggested letting someone know where you are going and what route you plan to take.

Las Vegas police purchased the helicopter used in Monday’s rescue for $9.6 million in 2017 to help with search and rescue missions. Its tail number, N145DV, honors officer David VanBuskirk, who fell to his death while trying to rescue a hiker on Mount Charleston in 2013.

Contact Alexis Ford at aford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0335. Follow @alexisdford on Twitter. Review-Journal digital content producer Tony Garcia contributed to this report.