Drone Spots Hiker Trapped for Hours in Utah Quicksand

A hiker experienced a harrowing ordeal after becoming ensnared in quicksand within Utah's Arches National Park. Rescued on Sunday morning, the individual spent several hours submerged up to their thighs in the hazardous substance during frigid conditions, with temperatures hovering around 21 degrees Fahrenheit. The remote location, a canyon wash with little sunlight, added to the challenging rescue environment.

Rescuers were alerted and deployed a drone to precisely locate the trapped hiker. Using a ladder and vehicle traction boards, the team safely approached the quicksand. These boards were crucial for distributing weight and preventing rescuers from also getting stuck, allowing them to dig the hiker out. Officials noted that struggling only exacerbates being trapped in quicksand.

The hiker, an experienced outdoors person, was surprised by the encounter, having stepped into what appeared to be ordinary wet sand. This incident echoes a similar 2014 case in the same vicinity and a 2019 event at Zion National Park, highlighting the persistent dangers of quicksand in certain terrains. The rescued hiker sustained no injuries.