USA: Boy survives 100-foot fall at Grand Canyon

A 13-year-old boy survived a 100-foot fall from a Grand Canyon ledge while on a family trip. The boy was taken to a Las Vegas hospital after a two-hour rescue mission.

Wyatt Kauffman was severely injured and suffered a collapsed lung, ruptured spleen and nine broken vertebrae.

The boy said he lost his grip while holding onto a rock near the steep cliff.

“I was up on the ledge and was moving out of the way so other people could take a picture,” Kauffman told Phoenix TV station KPNX. “I squatted down and was holding on to a rock. I only had one hand on it.

“It wasn't that good of a grip. It was kind of pushing me back. I lost my grip and started to fall back,” he added.

“We're extremely grateful for the work of everyone. Two hours is an eternity in a situation like that,” the boy's father Brian Kauffman said.

He said Wyatt and his mother were on a trip to visit national parks when the Grand Canyon fall occurred.

Also see: Grand Canyon tourists may have been exposed to radiation!

Brian Kauffman said his son was discharged from the hospital Saturday and was being driven home. Wyatt and his mom were expected to reach Casselton on Tuesday.

(With AP inputs)