120 meter rope team fall – one survivor, three dead

A serious climbing accident occurred in Washington State, USA, in which four climbers fell approximately 120 meters. Three of them died, while one man survived despite serious injuries and was able to alert emergency services.

The group was traveling in the North Cascades region of Washington State when the fall occurred. The exact circumstances of the accident are still under investigation. According to media reports, the group decided to retreat due to an approaching thunderstorm. According to current knowledge, the rope team fell while rappelling.

It is assumed that the abseil station consisted of an old piton. Whether the climbers supplemented the station with mobile protection is still unclear. The group apparently fell about 60 meters before hitting a sloping rock slab, partially covered in snow, and falling another 60 meters.

It is still unclear whether the climbers supplemented the stance with mobile protection.

The survivor alerted the rescue services after driving 100 kilometers

One person in the group of four miraculously survived the crash and fought his way to his car. From there, he drove nearly 100 kilometers until he reached a phone booth and was able to alert emergency services. The exact circumstances of the accident are the subject of ongoing investigations.

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Credits: Cover picture Walter Siegmund

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