30-pound slab of rock falls on woman below waterfall in canyon, Utah officials say

A 30-pound slab of rock plummeted onto a woman below Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon, Utah sheriff’s officials told news outlets.

The falling rock injured the woman’s head and back around 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 3, in the canyon northeast of Provo, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office told KUTV.

The woman, who was taken to a hospital, was alert and talking, deputies told KSL.

Sheriff’s officials told McClatchy News she was believed to be in her 70s and is expected to recover.

It’s not known what caused the 2-foot-long rock slab to fall, but one of the numerous other hikers in the area may have dislodged it, deputies told KSTU.

“One of the witnesses said it went right in front of him, and he was trying to forewarn people at the bottom and yelled out, ‘rock,’” Sgt. Garrett Dutson told KSL

Sgt. Spencer Cannon told McClatchy News that people have been hit by falling rocks and debris at the waterfall in the past, but it’s not a frequent problem.

“There are many more people who are seriously injured or who die at or near Bridal Veil Falls from falling themselves rather than being hit by falling rocks or debris.” Cannon said.

Bridal Veil Falls is a 607-foot, double cataract waterfall, according to AllTrails.

Provo is about a 45-mile drive south of Salt Lake City.

This story was originally published June 4, 2024 at 12:05 PM with the headline "30-pound slab of rock falls on woman below waterfall in canyon, Utah officials say."