Man falls to death hiking with 9-year-old in Utah, leaving child alone for ‘several hours’ only to climb down mountain himself–
The following written content via USA Today
SPANISH FORK, Utah — A Utah man hiking with the young son of his fiancee fell to his death near Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon, leaving the 9-year-old boy to climb down the mountain by himself, authorities said.
The man, Adrian Vanderklis, of Roosevelt, Utah was climbing with his fiancee’s son when authorities were alerted Saturday evening that Vanderklis and the son were missing by the boy’s mother, according to a press release from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday.
The boy’s mother said she could see her son from below, crying and alone, authorities said.
Volunteer search and rescuers and a Department of Public Safety helicopter crew responded later that evening. They found the body of Vanderklis, 40, at an elevation of about 5,800 feet on a nearly vertical slope as night fell.
“While it is unclear exactly why Mr. Vanderklis fell, it is possible he stumbled, or slipped on loose material. Regardless, it appeared he was killed immediately as a result of the fall. While the boy was with him, he did not actually see Mr. Vanderklis fall,” the sheriff’s office said. Read more from USA Today.
