Helicopter flies injured man out of Linville Gorge
A black hawk helicopter and its crew hand off a critically injured man to medCenter air on Sunday after the helicopter rescued him from Linville Gorge.
A National Guard Black Hawk based in Salisbury helped rescue a critically injured man who fell off Shortoff Mountain in the Linville Gorge on Sunday.
Burke County 911 got a call at 9:35 a.m. Sunday about a 49-year-old man who was rock climbing with his son and fell about 15 to 20 feet on Shortoff Mountain near Wolf Pit Trailhead, Chris White, public information officer for Burke County, said Monday.
Wolf Pit Trailhead was closed to the public during the rescue, according to Burke County Emergency Services and Emergency Management Office.
The fall occurred while the man, who is local to the area, was lead climbing, a technique where climbers anchor into the mountain as they go, White said.
White said the man was climbing a new section of Shortoff Mountain that he had never climbed before and he slipped, fell backward and hit the ground before the rope could stop the fall. The victim suffered critical injuries to his lower extremities but was alert and talking at the time of extrication, White said. He said crews had to get blood from a local hospital and a first responder ran the blood 1.5 miles into the gorge, where paramedics were with the patient. A paramedic then administered the blood to the patient, White said.
He was flown out of the gorge by North Carolina Helo-Aquatic Rescue Teams, based in Salisbury, around 3 p.m. Sunday, White said. MedCenter Air transported the victim after he was flown out of the gorge, according to information from Burke County.
The victim's son, who was tied off for another part of the climb, walked out safely, White said.
The latest update on the victim's condition was not available, White said Monday.
The rescue involved approximately 100 rescuers from 24 agencies.
White called the rescue complex, saying it was made more difficult due to the humidity levels on Sunday.
North Carolina Emergency Management assisted with coordinating resources for the operation.
Burke County thanked all the responding agencies and personnel, including Burke County Emergency Management, Burke County Emergency Medical Services, Burke County Special Operations, Burke County Rescue Squad, Burke County 911 Communications, Burke County Sheriff's Office, Glen Alpine Fire Department, Lake James Fire Department, Burke County Medical Director, Burke REACT, Lake James State Park, Catawba County Rescue Squad, Maiden Rescue Squad, Linville Central Rescue Squad, McDowell County Special Operations, McDowell Rescue Squad, Marion Fire Department, North Cove Fire Department, Lincoln County Special Operations, Caldwell County Special Operations, North Carolina Emergency Management, NC HART, and MedCenter Air.
"To every firefighter, rescue technician, paramedic, EMT, law enforcement officer, emergency manager, telecommunicator, medical professional, aviation crew member, and support person who played a role today — thank you," the Burke County Emergency Services and Emergency Management Office said in a Facebook post.
"This was a difficult operation in unforgiving terrain, but the teamwork, training, and cooperation shown today made the difference."
