Family narrowly misses being crushed by boulder in Ogden Canyon

OGDEN — Margo Pomazongo and her family were finishing up a visit to Utah for spring break on Sunday, when she said they narrowly missed being crushed by a boulder.

The Sun Valley, Idaho, family had pulled over to check out the area near the Historic Ogden Kiln. Just as they started to leave, Pomazongo said she heard what sounded like breaking branches up above. She, her husband, and their two twin 12-year-old sons started running away from the family truck.

"It was really scary, really, really scary," Pomazongo said. "My kids was running and crying, and it was a really bad time."

The family's Chevy Silverado was crushed, with the boulder landing squarely on the cab section. Had her family been inside, Pomazongo is not sure that they would have survived.

"We were ready to get into the car. Just two more seconds," Pomazongo said.

Weber County deputies said the number of falling rock instances tends to go up as we reach springtime weather each year.

"The freezing is expanding moisture where these rocks are sitting," Lt. Sean Endsley said. "Then as it thaws, things are moved, things are loose, and you get these falls."

While falling rock incidents are impossible to predict, Endsley said it's important drivers and hikers in the canyons stay acutely aware.

"Pay attention to your surroundings," Endsley said. "Obey the speed limit. The slower you're going, the more time you're going to give yourself to react to any situation."

Endsley also notes that if you see rocks falling, it's important to be aware that there may be more to come.

"You should stop and watch and make sure that the rock slide or the falling rocks are done before you proceed," Endsley said.

Pomazongo said the family truck is totaled, but she's grateful that she and her family are back home safe.

"Just maybe be careful, because it was really close," she said. "Thank you, God, for giving me another chance, and giving safety to my boys, too."

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