A Utah couple ran for cover Friday when massive boulders broke loose from a hillside beneath the popular Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon.
Bailee and Emerson Hamilton were driving through the canyon when they saw a large section of rock give way. They recorded the frightening slide as it unfolded.
The Hamiltons have lived near the canyon for 10 years and immediately worried about hikers and pedestrians who could have been in the rocks’ path.
“We’re up this canyon almost every day… and we know how much traffic, foot traffic, there is, especially on a Friday afternoon,” Emerson told ABC 4. “So, our first reaction was, oh no, there’s got to be people in its path.”
Bailee said the slide involved large rocks rather than a small stream of debris. The couple stopped to check whether anyone had been hurt and to help direct emergency responders to the area.
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After parking at Nunns Park, they found rocks scattered across the pedestrian walkway. Moments later, they heard another slide begin.
“We both turned around and ran as fast as we could away from it until we were kind of a safe distance,” Bailee told the news outlet.
Utah County Government said Friday that officials inspected the area and confirmed that no one was injured.
The trail was already scheduled to close for the season soon, but the rockslide prompted officials to shut it earlier. It will remain closed through the winter, with cleanup planned for the spring.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that the following areas are now closed to the public:
