A climber who plunged roughly 20 feet in North Carolina’s Linville Gorge suffered serious injuries over the weekend and had to be flown to safety by emergency responders.
Rescue teams were dispatched at about 2 p.m. Sunday after receiving reports that a climber had fallen on a steep area of Shortoff Mountain, a rugged section of the gorge popular with experienced outdoor enthusiasts.
According to Burke Rescue Inc. and SAR, the climber was leading the route and trying to place protection about 40 feet above a ledge when the fall occurred. The agency said the climber dropped an estimated 15 to 20 feet, swung away from the rock face and hit a nearby rock pillar.
A fundraiser shared online by Burke Rescue identified the injured climber as Jacob Gregory.
Emergency crews airlifted a climber injured in a fall while climbing in North Carolina’s Linville Gorge over the weekend. (Burke Rescue Inc and SAR)
Paramedics initially responded, rappelled down to the climber, and assessed the patient while additional resources were requested.
“After a request for whole blood, a Burke Rescue volunteer ran approximately 1.5 miles, covering 1,000 feet of elevation in just 31 minutes,” the Facebook post states, “while carrying critical whole blood to the patient to help stabilize them for transport.”
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Emergency crews seen during an airlift rescue in North Carolina of a climber who fell while hiking. (Burke Rescue Inc and SAR)
A North Carolina Helo-Aquatic Rescue Team Black Hawk helicopter was eventually called to assist with an air rescue because of the steep, rugged terrain.
The helicopter, known as “Kill Devil 244,” lifted the climber off the mountain and took him to Charlotte for medical treatment. The rescue involved two dozen agencies from surrounding counties.
“It took an extraordinary number of people, coordination, and courage to get Jacob from that remote mountainside to the care he needed,” the online fundraiser said. “To every responder who answered that call: thank you. You saved a life and brought a husband, father, brother, son, friend and loved one to safety.”
A climber was airlifted to safety on Sunday and falling 20 feet while on a mountain. (Burke Rescue Inc and SAR)
Burke Rescue noted that climbing comes with inherent risks and urged climbers to “know your abilities” as well as use appropriate equipment.