State Glance

Rescuers save fallen climber in Grand Canyon National Park

PHOENIX — Authorities say a rock climber is lucky to be alive after he lost his footing in Grand Canyon National Park, fell and spent the night with broken bones before his wife rappelled 200 feet down the cliff and helped rescue him.

Jacob Tipton of Flagstaff was hiking through rough terrain Monday while looking for new climbing routes when he fell.

Coconino County Deputy Sheriff Trevor Wallace said the site has steep cliffs and jagged rocks.

Tipton was alone at the time of the fall and his wife was back at their vehicle. She went out looking for him after he didn’t return and found him the next morning.

She rappelled down to where he was and then went back up to call for help, sheriff’s spokesman Jon Paxton said.

The fall occurred near Twentynine Mile Canyon on the northeastern edge of Grand Canyon National Park.

“Any fall or potential fall in that area with the proximity of the canyon and the cliffs could potentially be very dangerous so I’m just glad he’s OK,” Wallace said.

Tipton was taken by helicopter to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was treated for fractures in his arms and legs.

Tucson police: 2 men fatally shot in parking lot of park

TUCSON — Police in Tucson have identified two men who were killed in a shooting at a park on the city’s south side.

They say 20-year-old Roman Nieto and 26-year-old Guillermo Ortiz-Morales got into an argument with an unidentified man Wednesday night at Mission Manor Park.

Police say the man pulled out a handgun and shot Nieto and Ortiz-Morales before fleeing in a vehicle.

Responding officers found people providing first aid to the men lying on the ground in a parking lot.

The two victims were declared dead at the scene.

Police say they are searching for the shooter and have a description of him.