On March 22, 2026 around 3:30pm Salt Lake County Search and Rescue was dispatched to assist Unified Fire Authority with a hiker who took a considerable fall on the Donut Falls Waterfall.
Due to the initial report and likelihood of significant injuries a medical helicopter was dispatched to assist with a hoist, but unable to perform the operation due to poor weather conditions.
Donut Falls Hiking Trail – Big Cottonwood Canyon – Salt Lake City
While the helicopter was assessing the situation several grounds teams including UFA medical personnel hiked from the trailhead through snow and running water to access the patient, who had fallen at least 20 feet partly down the falls. The patient suffered non-life threatening injuries but was unable to move.
The patient was then loaded into a litter and moved down the mountain through several different rope systems where he was ultimately taken to a waiting ambulance and then transported to the hospital.
All teams where off the mountain just after dark.
