Georgia—Stone Mountain: On August 13, 1952 L. J. Williams (35) and a friend walked to the top of Stone Mountain, arriving at the summit late in the day. They inquired if there was a short route down and were told, “A set of steps leads directly to the base, right over there.” Williams walked over to the designated area looking for the steps and apparently walked off the sheer side of the mountain. As he slipped he lunged for and caught with both hands one of the iron pegs which had supported part of the scaffold used by the sculptor John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum while working on the Stone Mountain Memorial. Williams hung there first by one hand and then the other for 3½ hours 400 feet above the ground. Someone in the crowd which gathered below finally realized this was not a stunt. Elias Nour who had had previous experience was notified and effected the rescue by a rope from above. Williams was unhurt.

Source: Mr. Don Hubbard who interviewed Mr. Williams.

Analysis: Failure to exercise due caution in exposed areas.