Man dies from rappelling accident near Moab

June 5, 2018 Utah Channel 3

ST. GEORGE — A Minnesota man died after falling 60 feet while rappelling near Moab Monday afternoon.

Scott Henning, 33, of Delano, Minnesota, had hiked with a friend to the area above Moonflower Canyon, a popular rappelling spot near Moab, according to a press release from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office. Henning was rappelling down the cliff when he encountered a problem with his rope and fell about 60 feet.

Henning died at the scene from injuries sustained after the fall.

Grand County Sheriff’s Lt. Kim Neal declined to provide more specifics about what happened with the rope.

Grand County Search and Rescue and emergency medical services responded to the scene, but because of the difficult terrain, a helicopter from the Utah Department of Public Safety couldn’t remove Henning’s body from Moonflower Canyon until Tuesday. A helicopter helped bring emergency personnel to the scene Monday as well.

Henning’s body was taken to the medical examiner’s office in Taylorsville.

This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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