Climber falls 65 feet down gully in Squamish

SQUAMISH (NEWS 1130) — A climber was transferred to hospital Sunday afternoon after taking a serious fall near Squamish.

Tyler Duncan with Squamish Search and Rescue says the climber suffered significant injuries to their head, arm and chest.

“We had a climber take a bit of a slip and fall down a 65-foot gully. He had a tumbling fall at an area called ‘Area 44’ which is a climbing area just north of Squamish, in the Chek Canyon.”

Advance life support ambulances and paramedics responded to the incident.

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“We were lucky to have some of our advanced medical personnel on scene. And yeah, he definitely sustained some pretty significant injuries to the head and arm and chest.”

Duncan says they had to use a helicopter long line to get him out of the area he was stuck in.

“Then we transferred him to an ambulance that took him down to Lionsgate.”

Duncan notes that it’s been a particularly busy weekend for search and rescue crews. He says the heat and smoke the west coast is experiencing increases the level of risk.

“Everybody should be putting a trip plan in with somebody they know and trust,” he says. “And be heading out with lots of water, food, head lamp, all the necessary 10 essentials to stay prepared.”