Expert rock climber falls off a cliff and only survives because he landed ON his female assistant
- An experienced rock climber fell 12 metres from a cliff but miraculously survived
- The man, 48, landed on his female assistant who had been controlling the ropes
- He suffered head, arm and spinal injuries and was flown to hospital for treatment
An experienced rock climber miraculously survived falling 12 metres from a cliff because he landed on his female assistant.
The unnamed 48-year-old man - who had reportedly performed rock climbs around the world - was climbing at the Morialta Conservation Park in Adelaide's northeastern suburbs on Saturday morning when he had issues with his climbing gear.
He slipped from the cliff and plummeted toward the ground where he landed on the female belayer – the term given to the person who controls the safety rope on the ground.
An experienced rock climber (pictured, his smashed helmet) is lucky to be alive after falling 12 metres from a cliff
The man, 48, had to be winched from the cliff before he was taken to hospital for treatment
The man suffered head, arm and spinal injuries, while the woman, believed to be in her 20s, had minor injuries.
The Climber’s Track, Norton Summit Rd, also known as Muesli, has steep terrain which made it difficult for rescuers to get to him.
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Country Fire Service volunteer Andrew Charlton said the crew managed to find a small track and were able to reach the stricken man.
He was winched from the cliff before the pair were taken to hospital.
A witness told Adelaide Now the climber was lucky to be alive.
The Climber’s Track, Norton Summit Rd, also known as Muesli, has steep terrain which made it difficult for rescuers
'He was bleeding from his head, he was sitting up by the time we got down there. He was bleeding and had a dislocated finger. He was quite in shock,' he said.
'The belayer was fine and more focused on him. She had wrapped his head in a bandage.'
The man had been doing a traditional climb in which protection bolts are installed during the climb to prevent a fall and then removed as the climber continues the ascent.
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