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Fortress, Grampians accident - 16/11/08 |
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17-Nov-2008 8:03:30 AM
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I see from the news that someone has taken a nasty fall at the Fortress suffering head and back injuries. Last I heard, after a protracted rescue effort, he was being brought out last night but haven't seen any further updates.
Hope there's not too much damage and they make a speedy recovery.
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17-Nov-2008 8:16:00 AM
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http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=666682
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17-Nov-2008 9:27:31 AM
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Does anyone know who had the accident? Was it a walker or a rock climber?
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17-Nov-2008 9:50:26 AM
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http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/12hour-rescue-mission-follows-grampians-accident/1361758.aspx
Looks like it was a bushwalker.
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17-Nov-2008 11:25:51 AM
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Yes but we know how right/wrong news reports get details. For instance 12 meters half way down a 140
meter face? Anyway, big ups to all those volunteers and professionals who went out on what sounds like
a long and tricky night to help someone in distress.
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17-Nov-2008 12:06:13 PM
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It was a climber apparently - Eugene (don't know last name). From what I hear he couldn't get gear in for 6 metres. Nasty.
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17-Nov-2008 12:27:28 PM
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Indeed, the ABC is reporting it as a quite definite rock-climbing accident. A couple of interviews with representatives of rescue groups suggest our chosen pastime may be about to get some stick for being too dangerous!
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17-Nov-2008 12:37:29 PM
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Two guys started climbing the Quincas Borba (grade 18, 140 metres) climb. One belaying the other and soon lost sight. Lead climber ran out of protection, kept climbing, and was unable to place protection for 7-8 mts above last piece of protection. Fell from that position, falling 18 mts in total. Heavily impacting against rock face. Sustained injuries to lower back, pelvis, and both ankles. Lowered approx 6 mts by belayer to small ledge. Due to nightfall, patient was evacuated via carryout. Conveyed to Royal Melb.
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17-Nov-2008 12:38:22 PM
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Accident was on Quincus Borba.
Climber took a sizeable fall high on the route and was lowered to the belay ledge at about 50m. Decided not to lower to ground because of concerns about extent of injury.
Luckily there was mobile phone coverage so they could call for help.
Rescue helicopter decided too risky to winch so rescue crews walked in.
ARG member reached party on ledge around 6 pm.
By the time victim was packaged by S&R and down to ground was after deadline for helicopter retrieval so was carried out by S&R and SES. Fantastic effort. Back to Vic Range Track about midnight. ARG people got back to Nati about 3 am.
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17-Nov-2008 2:22:02 PM
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Considering the location and the injuries sustained this is a remarkable effort by the rescue team involved. Well done!
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17-Nov-2008 5:40:05 PM
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On 17/11/2008 kieranl wrote:
>ARG people got back to Nati about 3 am.
I'm glad I missed that rescue call-out.
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17-Nov-2008 8:38:38 PM
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Me too !
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17-Nov-2008 9:03:56 PM
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On 17/11/2008 bomber pro wrote:
>Me too !
But you missed out on gourmet cold KFC and Pepsi for dinner at midnight. Junk food has never tasted so good.
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18-Nov-2008 8:02:32 AM
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In case anyone isn't aware, ARG are a group of volunteers, as would have been many SES involved. I don't know who did make it out with Kieran on Sunday, but it's a hell of an area to do a rescue at any hour let alone well into the night and provided with KFC as a source of sustencance! Bloody good effort everyone. Did you manage to stagger into work the next morning as well Kieran?
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18-Nov-2008 9:05:27 AM
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Hey Kieran, did accident happen on big L-wards traverse, over easy ledges, to final crack?
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18-Nov-2008 10:11:36 AM
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On 18/11/2008 Wendy wrote:
>In case anyone isn't aware, ARG are a group of volunteers, as would have
>been many SES involved. I don't know who did make it out with Kieran on
>Sunday, but it's a hell of an area to do a rescue at any hour let alone
>well into the night and provided with KFC as a source of sustencance! Bloody
>good effort everyone.
I echo nm and Wendy's sentiment.
Thank you ARG and SES.
Where would we be (when in need), without you ?
Is ARG set up in such a way that official donations can be made to it?
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18-Nov-2008 9:32:25 PM
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On 18/11/2008 MJH wrote:
>Hey Kieran, did accident happen on big L-wards traverse, over easy ledges,
>to final crack?
Happened somewhere up there. Leader was out of sight of belayer. I think they were running together the traverse and final crack, which isn't a bad idea. Certainly very runout in spots there but don't know exactly where he fell or why.
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19-Nov-2008 12:29:13 PM
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When I climbed it a couple of years ago I found the rising traverse fairly easy but runnout. I kept climbing to last ledge before final crack where there are good anchors. There are some bulges between the ledges which require a "leader must not fall" mind set. It's all very ramp like.
To all concerned good job getting him out.
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19-Nov-2008 12:41:23 PM
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Stories and photos from Wimmera mail-Times here :
http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/ .
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19-Nov-2008 1:13:41 PM
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Any update on the condition of the climber?
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