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Chockstone Forum - Accidents & Injuries

Report Accidents and Injuries

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Climber plunges to death - Arapiles

damon23
24-May-2006
10:07:36 PM
A MAN has plunged to his death while climbing a popular mountain peak in western Victoria.

Police said the man, believed to be in his 30s, fell 15m on to a ledge while climbing Mount Arapiles, in the Grampians mountain range, near Horsham, about 4.30pm (AEST) today.
He landed 70m from the foot of a cliff, police said.

A paramedic crew and an ambulance helicopter were scrambled but the climber was pronounced dead at the scene two hours later.

A Rural Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the climber suffered critical internal and spinal injuries and efforts were still underway to recover the man's body.

Anybody have further info..

HM33
24-May-2006
10:24:52 PM
Oh dear. Thats terrible news.
dagdamor
25-May-2006
12:24:04 AM
According to ABC News Radio he landed on a ledge 70m up, not 70m from the cliff (which would be a decent stunt at Araps). I guess we'll find out lots more tomorrow.

belayslave
25-May-2006
12:27:06 AM
:( My thoughts to his family and friends. sounds all to similar to the Tassie incident earlier in the year.
mars
25-May-2006
8:23:13 AM
"Policeman dies in cliff fall - from theage.com.au
May 25, 2006 - 7:54AM

Police will today try to recover the body of a rock climber killed yesterday in a fall at Mount Arapiles, 350 kilometres west of Melbourne.

A 48-year-old off-duty police officer from the Horsham area died after falling on the Syrinx Climb at Tiger Wall at the world-famous climbing spot yesterday.

He was climbing with a friend.

A Rural Ambulance spokesman said paramedics were called to the area about 4.30pm yesterday, but were unable to reach the man who was 60 metres down the face of the mountain, and 100 metres from the ground.

"The climber was on a ledge, under an overhang ... he was suffering leg, back, pelvic and spinal injuries," he said.

A first aid team, possibly other climbers, had reached the man and were trying to help him.

Police search and rescue was called but the man died before they reached him. They are recovering the man's body this morning.

A police spokeswoman said a report would be prepared for the coroner."
ironmike
25-May-2006
8:35:15 AM
It's always terrible to hear of these incidents, but I guess it's the risk we take every day we choose to pursue our passion. My heart goes out to the climber, his family and friends and other climbers who tried to help out.

I'll be watching with interest, obviously there will plenty of investigation to discover the actual cause of the accident.

The climbing fraternity is a close-nit group which has always amazed me. A climber in need of assistance is never left alone for any amount of time.

Heartfelt sympathy to all involved.
patto
25-May-2006
2:36:02 PM
:-(

It sounds as if he fell onto the large ledge at the top of the third pitch which is 75m up. The fourth pitch heads off to the far right. While I haven't climbed Syrinx it seems that if you end up off route it is easy to find yourself on a grade 22 or 25, maybe this is what happened.

An accident like this brings it home that it isn't just other climbings in other places that pay the ultimate price.


Rest in peace.

Sabu
25-May-2006
5:44:13 PM
this is very sad news indeed and i feel for the man's family.

heres the full article if anyone is interested.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/policemans-body-recovered/2006/05/25/1148150358033.html

gfdonc
26-May-2006
1:10:09 PM
I've never done this route, despite its classic status. Coincidentally I was talking to someone on Wednesday night about doing it on my next trip as an easy day out. I may still do so but certainly won't be treating it lightly.

This is a sad event that touches us all. I know many people have logged on to Chockstone to find out more details, which may never come to hand. With that in mind, any assumptions about the cause of the accident need to be guarded.

The point I wanted to make is to suggest or remind leaders to place gear, even on easier ground. For those that are gym-strong and climbing 20+, or even those climbing regularly and confidently in the 16-18 bracket, it is often tempting and sometimes justified to just run it out when the terrain eases.

But holds can break, you can get off route, rope drag can turn grade 10 into 18, or a dozen other things could happen. Placing an occasional piece of pro where you really don't think it's needed might make all the difference one day.
Play hard play safe all,
prb
26-May-2006
3:50:22 PM
Specifically for gfdonc, as he's thinking of climbing Syrinx soon, I'd make a couple of comments.

As mentioned by patto, the 4th pitch starts at the L end of a large ledge, goes up a bit, then heads horizontally R for quite a few metres with poor protection. The climbing's not difficult, but it's a bit balancy and care is required.

Two pitches further on, when you gain the big balcony, you move to its L end, climb a step to a higher, smaller balcony, then continue well L to an easy conclusion. If you try to climb through the balcony roofs, you're not on Syrinx.

I don't intend this as speculation about the accident. We may find out what happened at an appropriate time. As someone who has dodged a bullet at Arapiles, I can only express my sympathy for someone less fortunate, and his family.

andyR
27-May-2006
6:05:03 PM
This was a tragic accident. All I can say was I was there.

The climber got off route and ended up on Sunday Best. Full details will appear in the Coroner's report.

The response time to this accident was bloody amazing.

Everyone tried their best.

My heart felt sympathy to all family and friends of the deceased and his mate.

Also to all involved who will still have to cope in their own way.
simey
28-May-2006
12:12:27 AM
On 27/05/2006 ando wrote:
>The climber got off route and ended up on Sunday Best.

The climber was slightly off-route, but he wasn't on Sunday Best.

Condolences to family and friends.
pc
30-May-2006
7:13:03 PM
If you are correct and he was slightly off-route, is it possible he went straight up that face instead of climbing up the crack line on a 45 deg angle to the right and staying on the main climb?
The reason I am asking is because earlier this year I was leading that pitch. Faced with water cascading over the rock to the right and "blocking" the correct route, I attempted to climb straight up and around but ended up on a very bare rock face without anywhere to place protection. I ended up downclimbing without slipping but was very aware at the time, had I fallen I would have probably ended up falling right back to the ledge where my belayer was stationed. A very frightening experience that could have ended badly...

Chalk Free
31-May-2006
8:57:47 AM
I was talking to some of those who assisted in the recovery on the weekend. It sounds as though he did very much what you describe.
KAG
9-Oct-2006
9:02:33 PM
I sincerely thank you all for your condolences. All I can tell you all at this time is that my partner was an experienced climber as was his mate climbing with him that day.

I do not have the coroner's report as yet so I can only speculate as you all have. However I do beleive that pc is fairly close.

Kathleen
The Keeper
10-Oct-2006
5:57:01 AM
This is quite sad news on a Thanksgiving Day in Canada when families are gathered round for good food and fellowship. My heart goes out to the family of the individual . I am struck by the harsh contrast of this result and such a great activity in such a beautiful location. I trust that the support of good friends and the abundance of good memories ease the pain as people move along the trail of life - as we must. It is good to know he was living life to the fullest and doing something he loved - so many do not.

Peace and good vibes to all.


There are 16 messages in this topic.

 

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