Hiker seriously injured by falling rock in Little Cottonwood Canyon
Aug 7, 2022, 5:06 PM | Updated: Feb 14, 2023, 4:11 pm
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — A South Jordan family is hoping for a miracle after their daughter was injured while hiking.
Jessie Liddiard, 25, was hit by a falling rock at Hellgate Cliffs Friday. Her mother, Tricia, said her adventurous daughter always took precautions and wore a helmet at the time of the incident.
Another hiker on the same trail, Angie Clifford and her boyfriend witnessed the event. She connected with Tricia on Facebook and told her what had happened.
“They were at the base of the trailhead, [Jessie] was wearing her helmet, and this girl was in the gulley about 70 feet up. [Clifford] said she heard a rock falling and yelled to look out below. [Clifford] didn’t see it hit Jessie, but she said her boyfriend was at the bottom, and he said it hit her in the head,” Tricia Liddiard said.
Witnesses said the rock was the size of a volleyball. They estimated it fell 120-300 feet and then crashed into Jessie’s skull.
“She was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
A South Jordan family is praying for a miracle after their 25 year old daughter was seriously injured while rock climbing. They said she was wearing a helmet at the time.
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Clifford called 911. When the search and rescue team arrived, Jessie was airlifted to the University of Utah Hospital.
“They took out the right side of her skull because it was in pieces. They’re worried about her being able to move the left side of her body,” Tricia said.
She said doctors told her they did not expect Jessie to survive her injuries, which the Liddiards call a miracle. They said her path to recovery is unclear.
Jessie is on a ventilator, and doctors haven’t told her family what her outcome could be. They said they know physical therapy and medical bills will be expensive. A relative has set up a GoFundMe* to help cover the costs.
Tricia said her family needs prayer most of all.
“I just want people to pray for her, I believe in miracles and I believe in God and I’m hoping and praying for a miracle.”
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
