A woman fell 15 feet in a rock climbing accident in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Monday, according to KSL. The woman, a Southern Utah University student, was rock climbing with some friends when the belay rope slipped and she fell 15 feet. Her brother was able to call 911 and the woman was rescued with a high liner. Nearly 2 hours later she was transported to the hospital via ambulance.
The woman fell on her side and complained of back pain, but fortunately didn’t suffer any serious injuries. Ryan Jones, the woman’s brother, says that he thinks the rope was too short for the climb. He says his sister, who is an experienced climber, is excited to climb again, and will be sure to use a longer rope next time.
A study done by the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital showed a 63% increase in climber related injuries treated in emergency rooms from 1990 to 2007. Also, the study says that “patients who were injured after falling from a height over 20 feet were 10 times more likely to be hospitalized than patients who were injured falling from 20 feet or lower.”
Mountain climbing can be a dangerous sport, as indicated by this study. We at Christensen & Hymas are grateful that the woman’s injuries were not critical. If you have been seriously injured in a mountain climbing accident due to someone else’s negligence, please call our law firm at (801) 506-0800 . We specialize in fall related personal injuries, and can help you seek the compensation you may be entitled to.
Photo courtesy of Paul Carroll.