ROCK CLIMBING 28 November 2006 - Man breaks ankles, Mt York, Blue Mountains, NSW
Administrator
Mountains, NSW
An 18 year old man was climbing at Mt York when he attempted to lead
climb "Bird's Nest". After an active day he said he was feeling
tired. He was not wearing a helmet.
The climber placed a bolt plate onto the first bolt. He then
uncharacteristically clipped a quickdraw to his rope first, and then
proceeded to clip the quickdraw (with rope attached) to the bolt plate.
He had made one move past the protection when his belayer alerted him
that the quick draw had become disconnected from the bolt plate. (The
climber is unsure how this happened).
As he tried to down climb the move to rectify the problem, he became
very anxious, he slipped and a 6m ground fall resulted.
A passing walker contacted rescue authorities.
Police rescue, ambulance, and SES volunteers attended the casualty.
When wind conditions eventually allowed, he was winched aboard the
CareFlight helicopter and transferred to Westmead Hospital.
He suffered two fractured talis bones, and a dislocated talis on the
right leg at the ankle insertion. He required orthopaedic surgery to
insert plates and pins in the right ankle, and a closed reduction in
the left. He expects to use a wheelchair for three months or so.
Comments from the climber involved -
· He generally climbs with a helmet, but felt it would not have made
much difference in this case.
· Don't climb if you are feeling tired.
Level 5 Report