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Boy survives 200-foot slide on slope in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — An 11-year-old boy who tumbled down a 200-foot rock slope in northern Utah was expected to be released from a hospital Monday, officials said.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office said Cesar Varvagan of Orem was hiking with his family near a scenic waterfall in Provo Canyon on Sunday when he tumbled down the rocky, steep slope.

The boy, who was awake and talking to rescuers, was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition, having hurt his head, back, and hip and possibly broken his collarbone, officials said. His condition improved overnight.

The boy’s parents declined through law enforcement to be interviewed.

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Sergeant Spencer Cannon said the fall occurred while the boy was hiking around 4 p.m. Sunday on a steep trail next to Bridal Veil Falls. He took a few jumping steps before tumbling down a steep slope with loose rocks and stones. He landed on a trail along the Provo River, Cannon said.

‘‘Once he took those first couple steps, it’s not a sure footing at all. He tumbled and rolled most of the 200 feet,’’ Cannon said. ‘‘It was a fall, but it was more of a rolling fall than it was straight down a cliff.’’

Bridal Veil Falls, a 607-foot waterfall dropping into the Provo River, is popular with hikers and bikers, according to Utah County’s tourism website.

The waterfall freezes in the winter, making it a favorite spot for ice climbers.

With thousands of visitors every year and higher foot traffic in the summer, falls and injuries do occur in the canyon, Cannon said.

‘‘We’ll have a half-dozen or so times where we get calls for things similar to this,’’ Cannon said. ‘‘They’re not usually this serious.’’

Officials reported two deaths from falls in the area this year.

Associated Press