TABLE ROCK MOUNTAIN, N.C.—Rescue crews are working hard to rescue an injured person who has fallen on Table Rock Mountain.

The person fell about 70 feet around 3:30pm Sunday in an area of the mountain called The Amphitheater.

Burke County EMS says this area is very popular for rock climbing.

EMS crews say its still going to be several hours before the individual is rescued. There are EMS crews on the ground with the victim but that person needs to be airlifted from the area.

was up there as part of the rescue last night. the victim fell roughly 35 feet and tumbled against the face on the way down. suffered lacerations to the head, seperated shoulder and prolly a broken collar bone. paramedic got to him around 630pm and found the paitient to be conscious and responsive but was unable to clear c-spine. victim was raised in a stokes basket sometime around 4am then airlifted out via blackhawk around 445am. keep this gent in your thoughts and climb safe.

he fell from the pitch 3 of the daddy. and the victim is a climber just to put that out there.

I was there climbing this weekend and there were definitely a decent number of people who had less than ideal amounts of experience. I left Sunday morning, but from what I saw of two different parties in the Amphitheater area, I wouldn't be shocked if it were one of them.

One party was moving slow trying to get five people up The Daddy on one rope from what I saw. (they didn't make it out until well after dark) Another party of two was going very slowly up The Daddy, then bailed, and started on The Prow at an equally slow rate. That's the catch to these remote climbs, you need to be fully prepared and extra cautious. Evac at 4 am must suck total balls.

Hopefully this fellow will heal up okay.

Just curious, I have a hard time imagining someone falling from P3 (the short pitch).

in response to the question about fall location...the victim fell above aforementioned ledge and was lowered to said ledge for assessment and care. my appologies for any confusion.

The third pitch is more than 35 feet up, isn't it?

We got pushed so hard from a group of 5 that came up on us (on one rope)

Five(!!?!?!??!!!thefuck?) people in one clump with one rope on the Daddy? For.

Best guess 30 foot fall on his head with no helmet. The high piece of gear held but all but one of the lower pieces zipped tumbled him another 40 feet.

I was just discharged from the hospital today. The extent of my injuries are as follows:
1.) Fractured skull
2.) Small blood clot between my skull and my brain
3.) Lacerations and abrasions all over my head
4.) Horrible muscular trauma that can only be compared to full-body whiplash
5.) Separated collar bones and shoulders

Jay...glad to hear you are out of the hospital and beginning to heal. I work for Outward Bound and we were a part of your rescue. I ended up with your rack, shoes, boots, and your wedding ring. A guy from Burke County EMS came by our basecamp yesterday and picked it up. I wanted to make sure that you got all that stuff back...if not i have a phone number for you. i am real glad to hear your alright.

my thoughts have been with you over the last few days and am exceedingly happy to hear that youre on the up and ups. god speed towards your recovery and keep your head up.

Five(!!?!?!??!!!thefuck?) people in one clump with one rope on the Daddy? For. Fuck's. Sake.

hey j.

best wishes to you and your family. i took a 40 footer 10 months ago at shortoff mtn. in the gorge and broke myself up pretty good too. i didn't get a 'copter ride though, instead we self rescued and hiked out. it took almost five hours to get to the truck and i can relate to the "most pain ever" feeling.

i've been out climbing four times this fall. i'm still a little sketchy but every day out is progress.

anyway, i'm in nc also, asheville area, let me know if you need anything--really. a whole bunch of people helped me out and and i feel like i need to pay it forward. you can PM me here or catch me at holleratjohn@gmail.com

john

I am up and walking...slowly and with a limp, but walking nonetheless. My black eye is almost gone, the headaches are lessening in both severity and recurrence, and my shoulders are getting stronger.

So -- you up for the Mummy next weekend? Heh heh!

My name is Jeff. I was the Team Leader in charge of doing the actual raise. Medic67 ie Joe is a very good friend of mine and we have watched each others backs for over 20 years. I have a son, TJ; who climbs way better than his Dad ever dreamed about. TJ was schooled in his climbing adventures by a dear friend and great person named Mike Fischesser. I started my own adventures in the mid 70's doing stupid things and not getting killed. I am so glad that Jay is doing so well. I have told Joe and many others that this rescue is what I have spent my entire career training for. We were very lucky. To Todd who was very instrumental in pulling this off at the edge...Thank You. There were so many people who were involved and were critical to the execution that I could never remember all of them. I only got to talk to Jay as we transferred him from the Junkin onto the portable that would fit into the Baughman Bag that was used to lift into the helo. I know he heard my voice on the radio as I talked to Joe and tried to reassure him and keep him focused.

What was established were 2 mechanical advantage haul systems. We did not have access to a high directional like a Larkin Frame or Vertex which is exactly what we needed. One thing climbers need to understand is that all rescue operators are taught to use a 15:1 safety margin. We would still be carrying equipment in if we stuck to that to the absolute letter. One of the ropes we started with was only 200 ft and we had to start off with a 3:1 z drag with the other set up as a 5:1. After 2 pulls, we converted the z drag to a 5:1 also so everything would be equal. During the raise, one of the prussik's was found to be almost severed in half. Rope drag was a real problem to say the least. Safety issues were addressed and corrected as they arouse.

I just returned home tonight with my oldest son TJ after receiving a commendation for performing this rescue. TJ found this thread and it brings all things into perspective. Joe received an award like mine but also received an addition award that has never been given before. In fact, I have been doing rescues in this area since 1981 and have never seen or heard of anyone being recognized for doing this. I hope that when Jay feels better that he will come back to this area and Joe and I can meet him in better circumstances. Also, I'd like very much to go climbing with Jay and his friends and family because I know lots of climbers around here and would love to make a day of it!

One party was moving slow trying to get five people up The Daddy on one rope from what I saw. (they didn't make it out until well after dark) Another party of two was going very slowly up The Daddy, then bailed, and started on The Prow at an equally slow rate.

Hi all. This is Jay, the guy that fell. I just wanted to touch base with anyone else that is still paying attention to this thread. You all have no idea how grateful I am for everyone involved in my rescue. You all put your lives at risk to help someone you didn't know, and for that, you are all heroes in my book.

To give everyone a status update on my condition. I know I stated my injuries that I endured earlier in the thread. There were actually more complications that the hospital did not find, and did not inform me that I would come to experience. It is going on four months now from the day the accident actually happened. I just had surgery to repair a broken wrist about two weeks ago and I have three shattered bones in my foot that are mending still. I have had pain every day since the accident in some form or another. I just got over the withdrawals from the physical dependence on the pain killers that I had to take for over three months. I am seeing a therapist for the PTSD that I am going through from the fall. When I look in the mirror, I don't see the same person I was 6 months ago and I was just informed last night, that no matter how hard I try to hide inner-turmoil, I apparently am not the same person to everyone that knows me.

I don't intend for this post to bring anyone down. I just wanted to let everyone know what I have been going through to-date.

Hi all. This is Jay, the guy that fell. I just wanted to touch base with anyone else that is still paying attention to this thread. You all have no idea how grateful I am for everyone involved in my rescue. You all put your lives at risk to help someone you didn't know, and for that, you are all heroes in my book.

To give everyone a status update on my condition. I know I stated my injuries that I endured earlier in the thread. There were actually more complications that the hospital did not find, and did not inform me that I would come to experience. It is going on four months now from the day the accident actually happened. I just had surgery to repair a broken wrist about two weeks ago and I have three shattered bones in my foot that are mending still. I have had pain every day since the accident in some form or another. I just got over the withdrawals from the physical dependence on the pain killers that I had to take for over three months. I am seeing a therapist for the PTSD that I am going through from the fall. When I look in the mirror, I don't see the same person I was 6 months ago and I was just informed last night, that no matter how hard I try to hide inner-turmoil, I apparently am not the same person to everyone that knows me.

I don't intend for this post to bring anyone down. I just wanted to let everyone know what I have been going through to-date.

limeydave -

Thank you for this. I am pretty much over the physical aspect, sans occasional moments of pain in my wrist or foot. The biggest issue is that I am constantly, in one way or another, reminded of the accident. That coupled with the fear of falling, inability to close my eyes for a period of time without waking up with that "falling feeling", the panic attacks (which I am on medication for now), and the numbness inside. All of those things, for so long, have created a person that I don't recognize and apparently it isn't just me that doesn't recognize him. The good news is, I do realize that something isn't right, and that I am getting help from people that are experienced in traumatic event-related therapy.

The physical is almost healed, now it is time to focus on the mental/emotional.

I don't intend for this post to bring anyone down. I just wanted to let everyone know what I have been going through to-date.