A father is fighting for life after he fell 80ft while rappelling down an Arizona canyon with his toddler.

​The man was rock climbing on a trip to Virgin River Gorge with his family, that included five young children and three women.

The father and the one year-old child were reportedly on the same rope near the Ghost Valley Trailhead when they fell. While the toddler suffered minor injuries his father was found in critical condition when emergency services arrived on the scene.

The child’s mother suffered injuries to her hand as she tried to pull on the rope holding them, Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire Department Captain Larry Lydon told ABC4.

“On Saturday Beaver Dam Fire Rescue was notified of a fall near the Ghost Valley Trailhead, along the county road,” a statement from the department said. “Initial call notes reported that an adult male and a one-year-old child had sustained an approximately 80-foot fall while rappelling, with the condition of both patients initially unknown.

“Upon reaching the patients, responders determined there was one critical adult patient and one pediatric patient who was not injured.Crews and assisting agencies worked for approximately three hours to complete the extrication from the remote location.”

​The fire department has released images from the rescue effort, showing a helicopter and an ambulance on the scene.

​The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team and Washington County Sheriff’s Office – Utah also provided support, with the latter sending its technical rope team.

The unnamed fathe was rushed to a nearby hospital. Asked for comment about the father’s condition by People, a spokesperson for the local sheriff’s department said that they had not yet received an update.

On social media, the fire department warned thrillseekers to be careful while rappelling.

​“Please use extreme caution when recreating in remote areas, and always consider the risks associated with rappelling and other outdoor activities,” the department said in a statement.

​Rappelling, also known as abseiling, involves adventurers slowly descending down a rock face while secured by a rope. Arizona is a hub for rappelling due to its rocky terrain, providing a huge wealth of locations well suited for the activity.

The Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area sits between Mesquite and St. George. According to the Bureau of Land Management, the gorge drops around 70 feet per mile – making it around 10 times steeper than the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.