The adventure world lost one of its brightest stars over the weekend. Andrew Lewis, known to millions of fans as “Sketchy Andy,” passed away during a BASE jumping accident on Sunday morning. He was a beloved fixture in the local outdoor community and a true trailblazer in the skies.
The fatal accident took place out in the rugged backcountry of the Mineral Bottom area. This remote canyon landscape sits right outside the town borders, offering beautiful but highly unforgiving terrain. Emergency dispatches went out early in the day as word of the crisis spread.
Local emergency crews scrambled to reach the isolated canyon as fast as they could. Multiple teams from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, regional search and rescue, and local EMS hurried to the site. Two medical helicopters also raced out to the scene to provide immediate airborne support.
Unfortunately, there was nothing the rescue teams could do when they arrived. Both Lewis and his jumping companion were pronounced dead right there on the desert floor. It was a heartbreaking moment for the first responders who knew the local legend well.
The pair were participating in what is known as a tandem jump. In this setup, a passenger is strapped directly into a harness with an elite, highly experienced guide. They jump together from a high cliff and share a single large parachute to float back down to earth.
Something went terribly wrong during the descent, but officials have not released any specific details about a mechanical breakdown yet. Lewis was 39 years old and ran a popular local business called BASE Jump Moab. He spent his life safely introducing eager visitors to the intense rush of desert canyon jumping.
The other victim in the crash was a man estimated to be around 50 years old. Authorities are keeping his identity private for now until his family can be reached and notified. The Sheriff’s Office offered their deepest thoughts and prayers to everyone shattered by this sudden, painful loss.
