Hiker's terror after getting stuck in quicksand for 12 hours in remote wilderness

A hiker has told of his terror after becoming stuck in quicksand for more than 12 hours in a remote national park.

Ryan Osmun, 34, was trekking in the Zion National Park in Utah when girlfriend Jessika McNeill tripped into quicksand.

But as he helped her out, his entire right leg became engulfed, leaving him wedged with “no chance of moving it at all.”

Ms McNeill walked three hours to find help, with park rangers arriving ten hours later and the rescue taking an additional two hours.

Mr Osmun told CBS News: "There was no chance of moving it at all. The sand had surrounded the whole leg and I couldn't move it.

“The best way to describe it would be standing in a huge puddle of concrete that basically dries instantly.

"One guy scraping sand away, they were able to free my leg. It was probably one of the worst pains I've ever felt.

"I really wouldn't change anything or go back and change anything or do anything differently. It was just a freak accident that my leg hit this hole of sand.”

Once he was freed, the pair were forced to spend the night in the park after a bad storm brought four more inches of snow, before they were eventually lifted to safety on Sunday.

Mr Osmun, a photographer, suffered hypothermia and minor muscle damage, but expects to make a full recovery, while Ms McNeill also suffered from hypothermia.

The park, in the south west of the state, has experienced an incredibly wet winter, increasing the chance of treacherous quicksand forming.

Zion National Park visitor services chief Aly Baltrus said in a statement: “On the afternoon of February 16, Zion Dispatch received a report of a 34 year old male visitor from Arizona whose leg was stuck in quicksand.

“He was located approximately 3 hours up the Left Fork of the North Creek, also known as The Subway route from bottom-up.

“His leg was buried up to his knee and he was unable to free himself. He had hiked the Left Fork Trail with a companion, also from Arizona, when he became stuck.

“He and his companion tried to free his leg and were unsuccessful. His companion left him with warm gear and clothing and hiked to call for help. It was approximately 3 hours until she got cell phone service and was able to call 911.

“Zion Search and Rescue team immediately assembled and began hiking to locate the male. Rangers located the companion close to the trailhead and tended to her as she was exhibiting signs of hypothermia, from hiking the three hours to call for help.

“After several hours, rangers located the male who was stable but suffering from exposure, hypothermia, and extremity injuries Rangers tried for 2 hours to free the male’s leg from the quicksand in the middle of the creek.

“Late into the night, Rangers were able to free the male from the quicksand and began efforts to rewarm him and treat his leg. Rangers spent the night with the patient in frigid conditions with four additional inches of snow overnight.

“The next morning, the Utah DPS helicopter responded from Salt Lake City. The ongoing winter storms in the area decreased visibility for aircraft all morning. Only after a small break in the weather occurred in the afternoon, the DPS helicopter was able safely extricated the patient with a hoist rescue operation. The patient was transported to an awaiting ambulance and transported to the hospital.

“Winter conditions at Zion National Park can be extreme, especially in the higher elevations. Colder temperatures, shorter days, snow, ice, and cold run-off can make easy hikes difficult and strenuous ones treacherous. Visitors are advised to use extreme caution during poor weather events at Zion."