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Skier rescued after 100-foot fall

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SALT LAKE CITY -- Emergency personnel responded to a call on Monday when a back country skier in Little Cottonwood Canyon fell from a cliff that is between 100 and 150 feet high.

The skier, identified as Robert Babbit, 31, from the Salt Lake area survived the fall. Paramedics said the man was conscious and talking when they found him. He has been hospitalized with facial and leg injuries, but the full extent of his injuries remains unknown at this time.

Babbit was with a group of three other skiers. Two of them rushed to his aid while the third called 911. They were skiing west of the Snowbird Ski Resort, almost on the other side of the mountain.

Lt. Justin Hoyal of the Unified Police Department said a helicopter with back country rescue personnel on board were able get Babbit off of the mountain.

“The male had face injuries, leg injuries, and we ultimately had life flight come up, locate this individual and then they flew in a couple members from Wasatch Backcountry Rescue… Once he got on the helicopter he was flown to a local  hospital,” he said.