New York hiker, 24, killed after falling from 80-foot cliff in Utah, sheriff says
Hiker appeared to have lost footing and slid off edge, according to sheriff's office
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A 24-year-old New York man was killed after slipping and falling off an 80-foot cliff while hiking in Utah last week, authorities said.
Matthew J. Schnitzer and a friend had been camping in Cottonwood Canyon for about a week when the pair went hiking on Thursday, the Emery County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Monday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Schnitzer decided to continue hiking alone after the friend turned back to camp, according to the statement. When the 24-year-old failed to return, the friend searched until midnight but found no sign of Schnitzer.
A helicopter crew spotted Schnitzer's body at the bottom of an 80-foot cliff, the sheriff's office said. (Emery County Sheriff's Office)
The friend began looking again at 7 a.m. but still could not find Schnitzer. He then alerted local authorities to his missing friend.
Schnitzer appeared to have lost his footing and "slid off the edge" of an 80-foot cliff. (Emery County Sheriff's Office)
Search and rescue teams looked for Schnitzer on foot and by helicopter, the sheriff’s office said. The helicopter crew eventually spotted Schnitzer’s body in a side canyon at the bottom of an 80-foot cliff.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The sheriff’s office said the 24-year-old appeared to have "lost his footing on the slope above the cliff and slid off the edge."
Schnitzer’s family was notified after crews transported the body from the canyon.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"ECSO extends condolences to Matthew Schnitzer's family and friends at this difficult time," the sheriff’s office said.