Climber Lucky To Be Alive After 70-Foot Fall In Eldorado Canyon
ELDORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - A rock climber was badly injured and lucky to be alive following a fall in Eldorado Canyon State Park Saturday morning.
According to Cmdr. Mike Wagner with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Jamie Shaw, 24, of Boulder fell approximately 70 feet onto a trail while climbing approximately 1/4 of a mile from the park entrance.
The Rocky Mountain Fire Protection District and Rocky Mountain Rescue Group responded to the scene, along with sheriff's deputies.
"(Shaw) had been climbing with a friend on the Anthill Direct climbing route when he fell an estimated 70 feet. The initial fall was unwitnessed, but Shaw's climbing partner observed him hit the rock face at least once after he heard Shaw yell for help as he was falling," Wagner said in a statement.
Shaw suffered a serious injury to his lower right leg and several lacerations and abrasions to other areas of his body.
"Shaw was wearing a helmet at the time of the fall, and had also been using climbing ropes and a safety harness," Wagner said.
Shaw was taken to Rocky Mountain Fire Stations No. 6 in Eldorado Springs where he was airlifted to Denver Health Medical Center. He "was communicating with rescue personnel throughout the rescue."