An Auburn man was flown via helicopter out of the American River Canyon Monday when he fell over the side of a trail on his mountain bike.

Rex Maynard, 68, was riding his mountain bike with a friend on the Lake Clementine Trail near the Foresthill Bridge when he lost control, left the trail on the right side and tumbled 70 feet down a rocky hill, according to Supervising Ranger Scott Liske with the Auburn State Recreation Area. The accident happened around 2 p.m.

As of Monday immediately following the rescue Liske could only say that Maynard suffered lacerations to the head due to the accident.

“After looking at the rock field he’s very lucky he was wearing a helmet because it probably saved his life,” Liske said.

Becky Morris, Maynard’s wife, said her husband is an avid mountain biker and that “he would never get on a bike without a helmet.” Morris also said Maynard has ridden the Lake Clementine Trail extensively and that he never lost consciousness after the accident.

“He’s 68 going on 12 as far as his activity level is concerned,” Morris said.

Maynard has also finished the Western States Trail Run multiple times and rode in the Coolest 24 Mountain Bike Race recently in Soda Springs.

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