Airman injured after fall at Rattlesnake Canyon

An airman from Mountain Home Air Force Base was seriously injured after he fell during a hiking trip in Rattlesnake Canyon on Monday.

Airman 1st Class Quarez Moore was one of about 20 people from three squadrons participating in a trip hosted by the base's outdoor recreation agency when the accident happened around 11:45 a.m.

The canyon is located off Highway 20 near milepost 102, in the vicinity of the historic Rattlesnake Station site. Monday's outing was held in conjunction with the base's comprehensive airman fitness day, which was geared to promote camaraderie as well as each person's mental, physical, social and spiritual strengths.

During the outing, the airman accidentally tripped and lost his balance, said 2nd Lt. Rebecca Ennis, a base spokesperson. Unable to catch himself, he then tumbled about 100 feet down the canyon before he hit his head on the rocks.

The group was led by experienced guides during the hike, the lieutenant emphasized.

Members of the Elmore Ambulance Service and the Elmore County Search and Rescue team climbed down the canyon on foot to reach the airman. Moore was alert and conscious when the rescue team reached him, said Deputy Michael Gelalia from the Elmore County Sheriff's Department.

Placing him on a stretcher, the rescue team then carried the airman through the canyon to a waiting helicopter, who flew him to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.

Moore serves with the 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron at the base. His injuries were not believed to be life threatening. He was listed in stable condition Tuesday, according to hospital officials.

The accident was the second time in two weeks that an airman from the base had fallen while hiking in the local area. On Nov. 24, Airman 1st Class Alexander Van Meter died after he fell during an outing in Bruneau Canyon.

Van Meter was hiking with another person from the base near the Bruneau Canyon Overlook when the accident happened. The canyon, which measures 1,000 feet from the rim to the canyon floor, has no marked trails.