FALL ON ROCK, CLIMBING UNROPED

Wisconsin, Devil’s Lake State Park

On May 9, 1980, James LeSuer (21) stated that he had been climbing without a safety rope and fell 20-25 feet of the small of his back. LeSuer said he landed about ten feet from where we (park personnel) found him and that he crawled from that position to where he was when the patrol arrived. LeSuer had no footgear on when the patrol made contact with him. He complained of a hurt left ankle.

Officer Miller checked LeSuer’s legs for any pain and distortion and found none except a swollen left ankle. No neck injury was apparent because the victim was and had been moving his head freely. LeSuer also stated that he did not have any neck pain.

LeSuer was removed from the cliff by litter, then transported to the hospital by ambulance. (Source: T. Miller, Devil’s Lake State Park Officer)

Analysis

LeSuer stated at the scene and again at the hospital that he had made a “stupid mistake” in not using a rope for safety. (Source: T. Miller, Devil’s Lake State Park Officer)