Man critical after fall while rappelling at Calico Basin

A Metro helicopter moves in to airlift a rappelling fall victim at Calico Basin at Red Rock National Recreation Area on Sunday, March 12, 2023. (Sam Roh, KTU)

First responders assist a rappelling victim at Calico Basin at Red Rock National Recreation Area on Sunday, March 12, 2023. (Sam Roh, KTU)

A man had to be airlifted to the hospital Sunday afternoon after he fell while rappelling at Calico Basin, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

The 57-year-old fell while rock climbing in the area, which is just outside the scenic loop of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and was taken to University Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition, according to a statement from Metro.

Metro Search and Rescue was called at 4:54 p.m. and performed a “one-skid loading operation,” meaning only one side of the helicopter touched the ground, while they rescued the man.

It wasn’t clear how the fall occurred.

A video posted on Facebook appeared to show emergency workers placing the man on a stretcher before moving him onto the helicopter.

Contact Justin Razavi at jrazavi@reviewjournal.com. Follow @justin_razavi on Twitter.