Clint McHale - Free solo Fatality on Camelback

[Dave1]

Hiker dies after fall on Camelback Mountain

A hiker who sustained a critical head injury after falling near the top of Camelback Mountain died during helicopter transport to a nearby hospital Wednesday afternoon, Phoenix Fire Department officials said.

The 24-year-old man was hiking with a companion when the two ventured off the trail and began to navigate more rugged terrain, officials said. It was reported that the man then slipped and slid down 20 feet of the mountain before taking a 30-foot drop, knocking him unconscious.

He later regained consciousness but died in the rescue helicopter en route to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center around 4:15 p.m., fire officials said.

The victim's name has not been released, and fire officials are still investigating the incident.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoe ... z1LRp4JIhQ

[fotogirl53]

Roughly 10% of non-illness related deaths in the 25-34 age group are attributed to unspecified non-vehicular causes and falls. I'm sure that this young man started his hike not thinking that he was risking his life. May his family and friends stay strong and keep good thoughts in this very hard time.

[John9L]

I went up Cholla earlier this evening. On the hike up, I could see two helicopters hovering over Echo. I reached the summit and heard about the hurt women. I was glad to find out it was nothing more serious. While on the summit, you could see a third helicopter that was part of the recovery. It landed about half way down the Echo trail and there were a bunch of SAR personnel...at least a dozen. After a few minutes, it looked like they loaded a litter on the copter and then it took off and cruised around to land in a cul-de-sac near Jackrabbit & Invergorden. It was hard to see what was happening on the ground. At that time the two news copters flew away and then I made my way down the trail.

[azbackpackr]

I agree we need to be sensitive regarding family members who could read this.

However, I do not feel the compunction to feel "sensitive" toward people who may call themselves "journalists" who can't bother to look up terminology. That is just lazy reporting. There are so few real journalists left...alas.