WOLFE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Wolfe County Search and Rescue saved a climber who fell off Funk Rock in the Red River Gorge area Sunday. According to a social media post, WCSART got a 911 call around 2:15 p.m.
They say the climber was 10 feet above his last set of protection when he fell, struck a tree, inverted, and hit the cliff face, which resulted in serious head trauma. Reports say the climber was not wearing a helmet.
WCSART members say they were able to hike around 1 mile to the CRAG location. EMTs from Cross EMS took a look at the climber in addition to a team member who is a paramedic. The climber was placed in a vacuum mattress and set in a stokes basket to be carried out. Several low-angle rope systems were used to get him from the CRAG to the bottom of the cliff.
Funk Rock is located opposite Swift Camp Creek, so a creek crossing was required during the rescue.
WCSART says the climber was taken to a trauma facility for medical treatment.
