Vitaly Tsikoza

Vitaly Tsikoza died attempting to save Paulina A. Filippova from falling, American Fork, Utah, September 24, 2006. Paulina, 3, fell from a trail at a national monument on the face of a steep wall of American Fork Canyon and landed out of view on a narrow ledge at a point about 75 feet below the trail. Beyond the ledge was a much higher and steeper drop. She began to cry. A family friend in her party, Tsikoza, 41, project manager, immediately began to descend to Paulina. He located her and was heard to tell her that he was going to her, but then he fell down the 60-degree slope of the canyon wall to a point 400 feet below the trail. Another man on the trail and a park ranger responded to the scene and made their way over a different course to Paulina. Remaining on the ledge, they held her to keep her from falling as they waited 90 minutes for rescue personnel. Paulina was then lifted by medic helicopter from the face of the canyon and taken to the hospital, where she was detained overnight for treatment of lacerations and bruises. She recovered. Tsikoza’s body was located and removed from the canyon hours later by rescuers.