A team of rock climbers and firefighters in Maine had to navigate a steep cliff while performing a daring rescue of an injured climber trapped on a ledge Saturday.
According to fire department officials in Camden, Maine, they received a report of an injured climber on the cliffs near Megunticook Lake shortly after 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 21.
Roughly 20 first responders from Coastal Mountain SAR, North East Mobile Health Services, and Camden Fire responded to the scene.
The climber had reportedly been climbing with her boyfriend near Barretts Cove when she fell about a third of the way down from the top of the cliff, landing on a ledge, and injuring her legs.
Officials said a climbing guide service was nearby working with clients and was able to quickly respond to the scene. One of the guides was a nurse who was able to provide medical care as well as help with technical aspects of lowering the injured climber.
To rescue the climber a team from Coastal Mountain SAR climbed above the ledge and belayed down. The climber was loaded into a carrier and lowered down the cliff. Officials described the careful process as slow and arduous.
After being lowered to the bottom of the cliff, rescuers carried the climber down the mountain, navigating their way over a rocky trail.
She was taken to an awaiting ambulance and transported to a local hospital.
