Rockfall in Index WA 7-11-21

There was an accident yesterday in the Index involving rockfall and a little boy. If you have anything you can donate to help, please do so. Thanks
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-little-hank?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

You have link to the accident?

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/boy-6-hit-by-rock-in-index-in-critical-condition/

Daniel Chode Riderwrote:

You have link to the accident?

seriously that's your response, classy...

Hangdog Hankwrote:

seriously that's your response, classy...

Wanting to be aware of a potential hazard at a crag that a person goes to seems pretty reasonable. I would love to know some more details about the accident when they become available as well, but I suppose that will be in due time.

Levi Xwrote:

Wanting to be aware of a potential hazard at a crag that a person goes to seems pretty reasonable. I would love to know some more details about the accident when they become available as well, but I suppose that will be in due time.

While I agree that it is reasonable to want information if there is an existing hazard I believe its in extremely poor taste to try and extract information from an accident that involves a 5 year old (especially one that was such a visible part of the index climbing scene) immediately after the incident has occurred. 

Hangdog Hankwrote:

While I agree that it is reasonable to want information if there is an existing hazard I believe its in extremely poor taste to try and extract information from an accident that involves a 5 year old (especially one that was such a visible part of the index climbing scene) immediately after the incident has occurred. 

Eh. I dont agree with this sentiment. If that information can prevent someone else from getting hurt I think it is extremely relevant. I dont see how age/location of injured party/accident has a bearing on when it is acceptable to look for information that could prevent another rockfall injury. I do think it would be in poor taste to ask questions like "Was the injuried party wearing a helmet?" or "Why were the parents allowing a child to play at the base of the cliff?" because those questions do not prevent someone from an immediate hazard but rather allow us to look in retrospect to prevent future accidents. 

I don't think Daniel meant to be callous or anything. When this was first posted, it had yet to make it onto most local news, and details were vague regarding the rockfall. It's understandably a scary situation, especially since Bret and lil Hank are such a big part of the index community.

 Very sad accident. Hoping everything works out, the outpouring of support from the community is really cool to see, that's for sure. 

Levi Xwrote:

Eh. I dont agree with this sentiment. If that information can prevent someone else from getting hurt I think it is extremely relevant. I dont see how age/location of injured party/accident has a bearing on when it is acceptable to look for information that could prevent another rockfall injury. I do think it would be in poor taste to ask questions like "Was the injuried party wearing a helmet?" or "Why were the parents allowing a child to play at the base of the cliff?" because those questions do not prevent someone from an immediate hazard but rather allow us to look in retrospect to prevent future accidents. 

 I guess I may be interpreting the situation through the lense of someone who was there, and who regularly climbs at index, so I know that if there was an existing hazard it would be well publicized by the community. 

tragic

Yeah uh I just wanted to know what happened, dude.

After learning more about the accident I realize how I might have sounded callous in both of my posts especially to people who are connected closely to the situation.

I don't climb at Index enough to know the people or their significance to the community and now I do. Please accept my apologies, Hank and anyone else.

To those who would like to know. Little Hank was playing at the base of the country left of zoom. A rock fell from above and struck him in the head. Last night he had successful surgery to remove part of his skull to alleviate inner cranial pressure. He has a long road ahead of him.

The outpouring of help and support from the climbing community has been overwhelming, and humbling. Everyone has really stepped up to do anything they can to help.

Please be thoughtful about prying into the details of the incident, as you can imagine it’s very traumatic for everyone involved. Anytime you step into the mountains there is objective hazard. Whether it comes from something you are climbing or above, it's something to always be aware of.

thank you

Daniel, you did nothing wrong. You didn’t sound callous.
If people are going to post a go fund me then they should be ready for people to ask what happened. If you’re still too emotional after an incident, stay off the inter web.

Good luck to the injured. It sounds gnarly. I’m sorry any parent had to witness that. 

I was mostly referring to my second post. I got a message from someone about it. I guess I want to err on the side of gentleness and kindness when something like this happens. Doesn't help anything, when you're already emotionally exhausted from the accident and mistakenly perceive my request as whatever Hank did, to rudely put him down for misinterpreting things.

Glad to hear Hank’s surgery went well. Stay strong little man.

Hoping for the best still. If anyone is still reluctant to donate I would strongly encourage it. Even as the goal of 50k is getting within reach that will probably not be enough. First I am an actuary and have spent a lot of time staring at Traumatic Brain Injury costs, let me tell you that the cost of this will easily exceed 50k. In auto accidents the limits are almost always paid out on this kinda of stuff so 100k-500k is generally the floor for costs. Secondly, I had something not even close to this severe with good health insurance and UWMC sent me a bill for 30k for a 10 day hospitalization. So consider donating. 

Thanks Trevor, I think your estimates are probably not far off. Add in a helicopter ride, and the time they'll be away from work, and I think anything will help. They are too modest to ask for help, and were reluctant to accept anything. Unfortunately the reality of the situation has hit home, and they have been humbled and greatly appreciative of all the support from friends and strangers a like. 

The little guy is still fighting so figured this should be bumped back to the top of the PNW sub forum.