On August 30 at approximately 10:00 AM, Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team (WCSART) received a 911 call reporting a climber who had sustained a serious injury while climbing at Muir Valley Climbing Area in Rogers Ky.
The climbing party was ascending Tom Thievery, a 5.8 traditional climbing route located at the Bruise Brother Wall, when the climber fell approximately 15 feet. During the fall, he struck an outcropping before falling an additional 10 feet and landing on his back.
WCSART members quickly responded to the climber’s location. A team member who is an EMT, along with a Paramedic, conducted an assessment and determined that the patient needed to be carefully packaged for extraction.
The climber was secured in a vacuum mattress to provide stabilization and protection during the carry-out. Rescue team members then worked together to transport him from the climbing area to the trailhead, where an awaiting ambulance was standing by.
Breathitt/Wolfe EMS took over medical care and requested air medical transport. The patient was subsequently transported by air to the University of Kentucky Hospital for further treatment.
The climber was visiting the Red River Gorge from Colorado. We would like to wish him a speedy and complete recovery.
Please remember that climbing comes with inherent risks, especially if you are new to the sport. Know your abilities, use appropriate safety equipment, and never underestimate the consequences of a fall.
We would like to thank Breathitt/Wolfe EMS and the Air Evac team out of Morgan County for the assistance today and the Wolfe County Fire Dept for setting up the LZ
