MOUNT LOOKOUT, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Emergency crews rescued an injured rock climber Sunday afternoon after she fell approximately 20 feet at the Zero Buttress Climbing Wall along the Meadow River.
The Wilderness Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) was dispatched around 3:25 p.m. to the remote location in rugged terrain.
Upon arrival, firefighters and other responding agencies stabilized the female climber and worked to extract her from the area.
Using a stokes basket and a side-by-side utility vehicle, responders transported the patient to a location accessible for air evacuation.
She was then airlifted to a trauma center.
Authorities said she was in stable condition at the time of the transfer.
The rescue was a joint effort involving WVFD, Jan-Care Ambulance, the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department, rangers from New River Gorge National Park, and nearby rock climbers who assisted at the scene.
WVFD is reminding outdoor recreationists to use proper safety equipment and climb with a partner when exploring the popular but remote climbing areas along the Meadow River.