Climber injured boulder canyon

MP wrote:

I see 15 people assisting in this rescue-- is this a normal+reasonable number of people to help with a climbing accident? (This is an honest question). 

When I decked in Eldo I think about 15 people showed up to scrape me up off the ground. I was unconscious for a few minutes, falls that result in head injuries are scary stuff.

Adrienne D wrote:

You typically need at least 7 people to move the litter over rough terrain. You pass the litter rather than walk with it. Once you add in various rescue groups, police, etc. the number quickly adds up. 

Not to mention you get tired fast. 14 people means 2 teams that switch on-and-off with each other, so one group can rest. If you're moving over rough terrain, a group of 14-15 is probably the absolute minimum headcount that you would want to assemble. 

Michael Roitman wrote:

Not to mention you get tired fast. 14 people means 2 teams that switch on-and-off with each other, so one group can rest. If you're moving over rough terrain, a group of 14-15 is probably the absolute minimum headcount that you would want to assemble. 

You all have nailed it with the number of folks needed for the litter.  Don't forget a dedicated person to monitor medical, anchor belay personnel and others to start setting up the next systems.

it was  not an easy place to carry a litter

sending good vibes

thank you to all rescuers

curt86iroc wrote:

Just to clarify, Tom will not be charged for the rescue. SAR is free in CO. 

medical expenses are obviously a different story. Sending all my well wishes his way...

Oh I didn’t know that about SAR in CO. That’s awesome! Thanks for the info.

Julian Barnett wrote:

Oh I didn’t know that about SAR in CO. That’s awesome! Thanks for the info.

But you can help support their ops for cases like this.

Buy a CORSAR card

The other thread has an update on Tom's condition and a link to a FB page that has a little more information on the accident. So tragic. Quoting from posts on the FB page:

May 30: "On Thursday, May 28th at 4pm, after a full day of sport climbing in Boulder Canyon, Tom took a ground-fall from about 25ft while reaching to clip his rope at the third bolt of a moderate sport climb. Tom sustained serious head-trauma, with almost no other bodily injury. His climbing partner handled the situation as perfectly as he could in the moment, and Tom was quickly taken to the road by search and rescue before being evacuated by helicopter to St. Anthony's hospital near Denver. Since Thursday night, Tom has been in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit. He demonstrates responses to painful stimuli, but is otherwise unresponsive at this time. Tom's condition is relatively stable as of Saturday morning, and his family and close friends are working with his nurses and doctors to decide the best ways to proceed."

May 31: "Tom remains in the Intensive Care Unit in essentially the same condition as the last two days. He has experienced several events in the last 48 hours where his blood pressure and intracranial pressure have spiked. During the accident, Tom suffered multiple skull fractures, which has resulted in brain tissue herniating and swelling dangerously. Because of this, he underwent emergency surgery Thursday night when he arrived at the hospital, thus he has a skull-flap and drain in place to prevent excessive pressure and further damage to his brain. Tom does demonstrate good pupillary reactions and is out-breathing his ventilator. His body is in good condition, and of course he looks strong-as-ever.The reality of Tom’s condition is bleak, and we feel that it is our responsibility to be honest with the information we have. Tom is scoring very low on many neurological tests, and it is unlikely that he will ever recover cognitive or motor function that would bring him back to the friend we know and love. At this time, the best thing we can do is continue to pour out our love and support to his family and close friends while we wait for more information."

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1059882841080440/?hc_location=ufi

   Gutting.  Absolutely gutting.  Holding a lot of love and compassion for Tom and his friends and family.  I do not know him but it does not matter, he's a fellow climber and he's a friend to many, and a son, and perhaps an uncle and a brother.  Best Speed and recovery to you brother   

I know first hand someone who after a horse riding fall was in much the same condition with very bad prognosis as far as recovering cognitive and motor functions. It took a long time (6+ months) but she's now entirely recovered all of her functions, to the amazement of the medical staff who took care of her.
Of course every case is unique but I guess what I'm trying to say is that all hope is not lost. Keep up the fight Tom!

Sending prayers to Tom, his family and friends, and the amazing folks at COSAR. 

I'm never going to feel bad for stick-clipping 2 or 3 bolts.  Nothing is worth hitting the ground from so high up (25' doesn't sound like much, but definitely high enough to kill you).  This guy was obviously well within his abilities and he probably just had a slip.  Could happen to any of us.  I pray he makes a full recovery...

John RB wrote: I'm never going to feel bad for stick-clipping 2 or 3 bolts.  Nothing is worth hitting the ground from so high up (25' doesn't sound like much, but definitely high enough to kill you).  This guy was obviously well within his abilities and he probably just had a slip.  Could happen to any of us.  I pray he makes a full recovery...

I fell from the same height and I think I was knocked unconscious for at least 10 minutes, that was 5 years ago now. Cognitively I think I am okay. I could’ve ended up like Tom.

John RBwrote: I'm never going to feel bad for stick-clipping 2 or 3 bolts.  Nothing is worth hitting the ground from so high up (25' doesn't sound like much, but definitely high enough to kill you).  This guy was obviously well within his abilities and he probably just had a slip.  Could happen to any of us.  I pray he makes a full recovery...

Couldn’t agree more with the stick clip. Does anyone know the specifics? Bolt failure? Damaged rope?  Keeping Tom and his family in mind today. 

Today is Tom's last day. Sad.

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/118950745/go-fund-me-page-for-tom-wright

This post on the Facebook page suggests he’ll be taken off life support today at 11:30am.

“I just received a text from Tom’s mother Karen: Tom will leave us tomorrow at 11:30am.
She asked that at that moment: we join our hearts together to help lift him up. “

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1059882841080440/

Mike Geowrote:

Does anyone know the specifics? Bolt failure? Damaged rope?  Keeping Tom and his family in mind today. 

The only information I've seen is that he was "reaching to clip the 3rd bolt". As we all know, that can be an area of groundfall danger depending on bolt placement, slack, rope stretch, belayer, and so forth.

Super sad. Rest in peace, Tom. 

Tragic news and so sad to hear. A reminder that climbing is always dangerous, even on seemingly innocuous ground and even for careful and experienced climbers. Be careful out there, check your knot and your partner's knot, and never let your guard down. Deepest condolences to his family and friends.

I am so sorry. My heart goes out to Tom, his family, friends and partners. I will take a moment of silence at 11:30 today and will be sending all of the positive energy I can bring to Tom and his family. This is heartbreaking news. 

so sad...condolences to his family and friends

I'm very sorry to see this turn out this way. In lieu of stick clipping ( I don't own one ), many sketchy over the head clips can be remedied by simply starting out with a long sling that reaches from the bolt or piece to your waist/knot. You can shorten it up once you are safe or stable. A draw with an over the shoulder sling in the bottom biner and another biner on the OTS sling solves it all. You can pre-clip the lowest biner to your rope for the best results if it's really sketch.