California, San Francisco—On March 25, 1956 Bruce Frederick (16), with two companions, attempted an ascent of Lands End cliff. After his companions turned back, Frederick continued alone, reaching a point about 25 feet from the top before falling some 275 feet back to the base of the cliff. Rescue operations by firemen, police, and Coast Guard took three hours since the victim had to be raised to the road at the top of the cliff.

The boy’s injuries were diagnosed as fractured skull, broken neck, fractured ribs and legs, punctured lungs, and internal injuries. He died the next day.

Source: William Siri.

Analysis: (W. Siri). No climbing experience, no training, and no equipment, and site not used for practice climbing because of extreme hazards and rotten rock.