Man rescued after 20-foot fall in park

Rangers rescued a hiker Tuesday after he fell 20 feet in Hanging Canyon.

Paul Danes, 23, of Raleigh, N.C., was scrambling alone and off trail near the mouth of the canyon when he slipped, fell, and sustained facial and lower leg injuries.

Other day hikers who were in the Hanging Canyon area heard cries for help and discovered Danes. They provided basic care for his injuries and placed a cell phone call for help at 12:45 p.m. that was received by Teton Interagency Dispatch Center, according to a news release from Grand Teton National Park.

Based upon the call and the relatively close location to the Jenny Lake west shore trail, rangers prepared to evacuate Danes by a wheeled-litter handled by four rescuers.

After reaching Danes by foot, rangers decided a helicopter short-haul evacuation was the more prudent rescue technique. The decision was made because of a combination of Danes’ injuries and the rough and rocky terrain over which the wheeled-litter would be hauled to complete an evacuation by ground.

A Teton Interagency contract helicopter was summoned at 3 p.m. and an aerial evacuation of the injured hiker was completed by 4:15 p.m. Danes was transported by park ambulance to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson, Wyo., for further medical treatment.

Danes is working as a seasonal concession employee in Yellowstone National Park for the summer.