Montana authorities rescue 2 people who fell from cliffs

BILLINGS (AP) — Two people who were injured were rescued after falling from a band of sandstone cliffs in Billings this week, authorities said.

Billings Fire Department Battalion Chief Darrek Mitchell told The Billings Gazette that a man and a woman, who were unnamed, were hospitalized with "significant" injuries on Wednesday after falling more than 30 feet (9 meters) from the Rims around 11:30 p.m.

"It was a late night call . and it was even more complicated because we couldn't utilize Zimmerman Trail," Mitchell said, adding that the trail was closed for maintenance and repairs after a wreck damaged portions of the road earlier in the week.

Mitchell said search crews used a different route to find the pair and a rope team lowered them down about 300 feet (90 meters) in a basket to awaiting first responders. The rescue ended around 2 a.m.

"It was labor and manpower intensive" Mitchell said, noting that two engines, a truck, rescue team and two battalion commanders helped in the effort.