MORGANTOWN — An injured rock climber was rescued near Coopers Rock State Forest on Friday.
The man was climbing with his daughter about a half mile into the woods off of Interstate 68 westbound, near mile marker 12, according to Brookhaven Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jimmy Lipscomb. The right hand-lane was closed for the duration of the rescue.
The man fell about 40 feet and had a possible leg fracture, Lipscomb said.
The accident did not occur on state property, according to a West Virginia Division of Natural Resources officer on the scene.
Once rescuers reached the man, they stabilized him, loaded him on a Stokes basket and brought him up to the interstate with a series of vertical lifts and maneuvers. Lipscomb said the area was steep and with the heat it was a “long process.” A rope and pulley system was used to assist with getting the patient up the hills.
No emergency personnel were injured in the rescue and it went smoothly, according to Lipscomb.
Once the injured man was beside the interstate, he was loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital.
The call was received at 10:07 a.m. and the man was loaded into the ambulance around 12:45 p.m.
Granville Fire Department, Star City Volunteer Fire and EMS, Bruceton Community Ambulance and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department also responded.
