FALL ON ROCK, CLIMBING UNROPED

Pennsylvania, Tohickon Valley Park

Joseph McDevitt (26) was in serious condition yesterday after plunging at least 70 feet to the ground in a fall off a cliff in Bucks County. He was airlifted and treated in the intensive care unit at St. Luke’s Hospital near Bethlehem, officials said.

Analysis

The 200-foot cliffs of red shale along Tohickon Creek are popular among climbers. While falls like McDevitt’s “do occur, it’s not commonplace,” county spokesman Chris Edwards said.

A witness said McDevitt had no rope or safety harness. Witnesses differed on whether McDevitt wore a helmet. (Source, from an article by Jeff Gammage, in the Philadelphia Inquirer. No date given)

(Editor's Note: We are sure that other incidents occur in PA. At the moment, we rely on inconsistent sources for information from this region.)