Burke Rescue responders and other organizations save climber
Rescuers airlifted the climber out of the area before transferring them to a medical helicopter for continued treatment.
Rescuers airlifted the climber out of the area before transferring them to a medical helicopter for continued treatment.
FOR THE PAPERAround 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, while attempting to place gear about 40 feet above the ledge on Dopey Duck — a climbing route on Shortoff Mountain in Linville Gorge — a lead climber fell 15 to 20 feet, swinging away from the wall and striking a nearby rock pillar.
Once emergency responders were contacted, a Burke Rescue paramedic and mountain rescue technician and a Burke EMS paramedic rappelled to the patient, where they requested the assistance of the North Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (NCHART).
As the first responders cleared the area for aerial rescue, another Burke Rescue volunteer ran about 1.5 miles — scrambling up 1,000 feet of elevation in just over 30 minutes — while carrying whole blood to stabilize the patient before transport.
NCHART aircraft “Kill Devil 244” extracted the climber at about 2:45 p.m. and transferred them to a medical helicopter for continued care.
The remaining rescuers and climbing party ascended the rope system and hiked out.
—JC
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