Climber Falls 20 Feet in North Carolina Gorge and Is Airlifted to Hospital
Jacob Gregory slipped about 20 feet while climbing Shortoff Mountain in Linville Gorge and was rescued by helicopter after receiving whole blood on site.
Emergency crews responded to reports of a climber’s fall on the steep section of Shortoff Mountain in Linville Gorge on Sunday afternoon. The lead climber, identified as Jacob Gregory, slipped about 15-20 feet while placing gear and collided with an adjacent rock pillar. Paramedics descended to the site, evaluated his injuries, and a Burke Rescue volunteer ran 1.5 miles carrying whole blood to help stabilize him.
Because of the rugged terrain, a North Carolina Helo-Aquatic Rescue Team Black Hawk helicopter, “Kill Devil 244,” was dispatched for an air evacuation. The helicopter extracted Gregory and transported him to a hospital in Charlotte for treatment. The rescue effort involved roughly two dozen agencies from neighboring counties, highlighting extensive coordination and bravery among responders.
Why it matters
The incident shows how coordinated rescue efforts and rapid blood delivery can save lives in remote wilderness accidents.
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