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Helmet-cam footage has been released of a dramatic rescue of 17 children after 30 hours stuck in a tiny “slot canyon” in the US.
The famous canyons in Utah – less than 30cm wide in some parts – attract visitors, climbers, extreme canyoneers and geologists from all over the world.
A church youth group of 17 children and two leaders had been touring one of the smallest, Sandthrax Canyon, when they became stuck.
Helicopter rescue crews from the Utah Department of Public Safety and “rope rescue personnel” were called to the top of the canyon’s tiny opening after the alarm was raised.
One of Utah’s famous slot canyons
So remote are the rock formations that no one knew the group was stuck until one of the organisers who had been waiting outside realised something was wrong.
They then had to drive for over an hour to get a mobile phone signal.
By then it was nighttime – and there is barely any light inside the slots in daylight – so the group was forced to wait until the morning.
Using skilled helicopter winch operators, they were eventually able to bring up the entire group – exhausted and dehydrated but unharmed – at sunrise.
The operation took more than five hours, with 19 hoists and a refuel required.
The Utah canyonlands are regularly over 30C (86F) in the summer.
‘Hot, hot, hot’
Garfield County Sheriff Danny Perkins told Sky News: “The helicopter crew that came to rescue the group is one of the most highly trained crews in the United States.
“Pulling these kids out of the hole was like threading a needle – that’s how they got them out.”
Pic: Utah Department of Public Safety
He said he believed the group had gone into the wrong canyon.
“We have rescued professionals from Sandthrax Canyon. I think they thought they understood the canyon – but they had no idea what they were getting into.
“There is no cell phone coverage and no radio coverage there – we could not even communicate with the rescue helicopter crew.”
He said some of the children were dehydrated as they only had limited water.
He added: “There was not enough room for them to lie down – they had to take turns as the space was only around 5ft by 3ft.
“It was hot, hot, hot and they were extremely fatigued.”
The footage from Tactical Flight Officer Napierski’s helmet camera shows members of the group waiting to be hoisted out.
A spokesperson for the Utah Public Safety Department urged visitors to stick to signed, escorted canyons.
“Please go prepared, know before you head out, and be safe.”
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