An Arizona woman fell into a canyon known as the “Edge of the World” and remarkably survived three days in the unforgiving desert terrain before being rescued.
Janelle Banda, a 32-year-old outdoor enthusiast, found herself on a father-daughter camping trip in Sedona when a misstep during a stroll led to her tragic fall. Climbing high above the canyon, Banda accidentally slipped and plummeted 400 feet into the steep gorge, an event that changed the course of her weekend.
For two and a half grueling days, Banda endured extreme temperatures, from the scorching desert heat by day to the chilly nights, while her family was left grappling with an overwhelming sense of dread, “very much mentally preparing for the worst,” as her loved ones later recounted to The Arizona Republic.
On June 16, a hopeful rescue team from the Pima County Sheriff’s Office flew in via helicopter to bring Banda back to safety. Her sister, Sarah, described the event as “nothing short of a miracle,” overwhelmed with relief and joy at the news of her sister’s survival.
Janelle and her sister had always shared a passion for the outdoors, often tackling various trails together. However, the recent venture to the Edge of the World marked Janelle’s first experience at this particular scenic location, known for its breathtaking views but also for its perilous cliffs and rocky pathways. They began their journey on June 11.
On the night of June 12, after being spooked by an unknown noise, Janelle took a brief walk away from their campsite. It was this seemingly innocent exploration that led her astray, as her sister explained, “If you walk the wrong way, down the wrong path, you could just end up walking and stepping where you shouldn’t at the edge of the cliff.” The ominous beauty of the landscape became a dangerous trap.
When found, Janelle had sustained two sprained ankles, numerous cuts and bruises, and considerable scrapes reminiscent of road burn. Most crucially, she was severely dehydrated after her prolonged ordeal. She was quickly transported to the hospital for treatment.
In the aftermath, Janelle spent one night in care, but now she’s back home with her parents, recovering physically and emotionally. Her sister mentioned the difficulty of her situation, saying, “She can’t really move…She’s in a lot of pain.” Apart from the physical injuries, the psychological impact of such a traumatic experience cannot be underestimated. “There’s obviously the mental toll of … the trauma of not just falling but being in the canyon alone,” Sarah noted, recognizing that Janelle has a challenging path ahead in dealing with her mental recovery.
