A hiker suffered significant injuries after falling 20 feet in Linville Gorge, North Carolina, over the weekend. Emergency teams quickly responded to the incident on Sunday around 2 p.m.
The climber, identified as Jacob Gregory, was attempting to place gear about 40 feet above a ledge on Shortoff Mountain when he fell approximately 15–20 feet. During the fall, he moved away from the climbing wall and hit a nearby rock pillar, according to Burke Rescue Inc. and SAR on Facebook.
The lead climber was attempting to place gear approximately 40 feet above the ledge when they took a lead fall of approximately 15–20 feet, during which they swung away from the climbing wall and struck an adjacent rock pillar.
Paramedics were among the first responders, rappelling down to the injured climber. They assessed his condition while additional resources were brought in. One volunteer ran 1.5 miles, covering an elevation of 1,000 feet in 31 minutes while carrying whole blood to stabilize Gregory for transport.
The rugged terrain of Linville Gorge necessitated the involvement of a North Carolina Helo-Aquatic Rescue Team’s Black Hawk helicopter, nicknamed “Kill Devil 244.” The helicopter successfully airlifted Gregory to Charlotte for medical treatment.
This rescue operation involved two dozen agencies from surrounding counties. Burke Rescue’s online fundraiser extended gratitude to all responders, noting their critical role in saving a life and reuniting Gregory with his loved ones.
Burke Rescue emphasized that climbing has inherent risks and advised climbers to understand their abilities and use proper equipment. They stressed the importance of safety in such endeavors.
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