An investigation is underway in Utah after a dirt biker was injured on Hidden Forest Trail in American Fork Canyon. On Friday, October, 3rd Daniel Bender of Alpine, Utah, struck a black wire stretched between two trees, which he described as a trap set at neck height. The wire, identified as light-gauge metal similar to bailing wire, caught his helmet, scraped his mouth, and threw him off his bike, causing cuts inside and outside his mouth.
Bender removed the wire with a friend before reporting the incident to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office and the National Forest Service. The sheriff’s office, led by public information officer Sgt. Ray Ormond, noted that such incidents are rare but could lead to reckless endangerment charges, a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine, depending on the severity of injuries caused.
The motive behind the wire’s placement remains unclear. Bender emphasized the potential danger, noting that while he was fortunate to avoid serious injury, similar incidents elsewhere have been fatal. He urged those opposed to dirt bikes on trails to find safer ways to express their concerns. The sheriff’s office advised trail users to maintain safe speeds to better spot hazards and to report anything suspicious to law enforcement.
Bender shared his experience on social media, where others reported similar encounters with wires on trails. By raising awareness, he hopes to prevent future incidents and protect other trail users from harm.
images from Heidi Hatch Facebook
