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On Lexington news, they stated that a hiker fell from a 40 foot cliff and died, in Muir Valley . Any one heard anything about this? Was it a hiker or a climber/ misinformed news report?

Totally inaccurate. See our separate posting.

Rick Weber

I don't have facebook. Can someone relay the info?

verbatim from muir valley facebook page.....

"Today, a tragic incident involving the death of a climber occurred in Muir Valley. Although the cause of death is being investigated by the Kentucky Medical Examiner, it appears to be due to natural causes. Gear failure and climber/belayer error do NOT appear to be factors in this incident. Further details are being withheld to protect the family’s privacy.

Our hearts go out with deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this climber. We also wish to express our gratitude and appreciation for the efforts put forth by volunteers who helped to assure that emergency rescue services were immediately available."

By Karla Ward — kward1@herald-leader.com

A 45-year-old man from Delaware died while rappelling in Wolfe County on Tuesday.

The man, whose name was not released Tuesday night, fell about 30 feet down an 80-foot cliff before his harness and ropes stopped the fall, Wolfe County Deputy Coroner Gary Sparks said.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Sparks said it is unclear whether the man died as a result of the fall or whether a medical incident caused him to fall.

The incident occurred at about 4:15 p.m. in Muir Valley, which is in the Rogers community.

Sparks said the man's 15-year-old son and others were able to get the man down before rescue workers arrived.

He was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m.

Karla Ward: (859) 231-3314. Twitter: @HLpublicsafety

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/06/19/2230 ... rylink=cpy

My condolences to his family and especially his 15 year old son that was there. Very sad news indeed. Keep us posted on any further findings.

caribe wrote:By Karla Ward — kward1@herald-leader.com

A 45-year-old man from Delaware died while rappelling in Wolfe County on Tuesday.

The man, whose name was not released Tuesday night, fell about 30 feet down an 80-foot cliff before his harness and ropes stopped the fall, Wolfe County Deputy Coroner Gary Sparks said.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Sparks said it is unclear whether the man died as a result of the fall or whether a medical incident caused him to fall.

The incident occurred at about 4:15 p.m. in Muir Valley, which is in the Rogers community.

Sparks said the man's 15-year-old son and others were able to get the man down before rescue workers arrived.

He was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m.

Karla Ward: (859) 231-3314. Twitter: @HLpublicsafety

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/06/19/2230 ... rylink=cpy

More accurately: According to several witnesses who were climbing next to the route on which the victim was climbing, he was preparing to be lowered off when he groaned and went limp as though he passed out. He then took what would be considered a long but moderate fall of about 22 to 32 feet. He did not impact the rock face on the way down, nor did he impact the ground. His 15-year old son skillfully arrested his fall with a GriGri II. Witnesses said the belayer was lifted off the ground a few feet, providing his father a relatively soft catch. The victim hanging prone in his harness was not moving. His son immediately lowered him to the ground, where it was determined that he had neither a heartbeat nor was he breathing. Good Samaritan climbers nearby immediately began CPR. I arrived at the scene with first aid gear and a litter team about ten minutes after the fall . We continued CPR, stopping periodically and briefly to check for breathing, carotid, and femoral pulse until such time that two of us who are WFRs, following protocol, discontinued CPR.

The family has been notified and given this information. The Medical Examiner in Frankfort will attempt to determine the official cause of death.

Rick Weber

We had the 15-year-old son of the victim stay with us last night, so that he would not be alone. We have been in close contact with his family, and took him to the Lexington airport this morning for a flight to be reunited with his family.

Thank you to Sister Ann Quinn and the other Wolfe County Rescue volunteers who also assisted.

And, thank you to the many kind people who expressed sympathy and condolences. We will pass your comments on to the family. We think they will find comfort in knowing how deeply others cared.

Liz & Rick

Liz & Rick,

Kudos to you for helping this boy out in an seemingly impossible situation.

Best Regards,
Eric