HURRICANE – Park rangers and first responders sprang into action at Sand Hollow State Park Tuesday afternoon following the report of a fall involving a head injury.

Just before 3:30 p.m., a male individual – his age couldn’t be confirmed by park staff – attempted to leap from the area known as the “jumping rocks” at the north end of Sand Hollow. Instead of diving into the water, his head made contact with a segment of the rock.

(When) he was at the top of the jumping rocks, he went to jump and hesitated,” said Stephen Studebaker, assistant park manager at the Sand Hollow Complex.

Due to the male’s hesitation, he lost momentum needed to propel him forward and touched down on the rock below instead of the water.

“He hit the top of his head and his shoulder (and received) multiple lacerations,” Studebaker said.

The male did end up sinking into the water, but was quickly dragged out by others gathered at the area.

Park rangers were alerted and brought their boat over and strapped the jumper to a backboard before transporting him to the boat ramp where an ambulance was waiting. The male was then taken to Dixie Regional Medical Center, Studebaker said.

Based on observations, the male appeared to be alert, breathing and in relatively stable condition, Studebaker said. Due to the nature of the incident, it was treated very seriously, he said.

Last week a similar incident occurred in the same area. In that instance, a jumper slipped on the rocks and fell backward and hit the back of his head. The individual in that incident self-transported to the hospital, Studebaker said.

“Be as careful as you can,” Studebaker said about jumping or diving from the rocks. “Use your best judgment. Any type of jumping into the water can be dangerous.”

Hurricane Valley Fire and Rescue also responded to the scene.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.