On Sept. 7, firefighters from the Snoqualmie Fire Department and Eastside Fire and Rescue worked with Bellevue Fire Department paramedics to rescue a climber in Olallie State Park near North Bend.

“Responders were dispatched at 11:59 p.m. to a report of a disabled climber with a possible ankle fracture on the climbing wall, about 300 feet from the Deception Crags Trailhead, and began a technical rope rescue,” wrote Catherine Breault, the public information officer for Eastside Fire and Rescue, which has jurisdiction over the area. “The rescue took about two hours to safely get the patient packaged and into awaiting aid units.”

According to a Snoqualmie Fire Department Facebook post, the climber fell 40 feet before his climbing gear stopped him. His climbing partner provided first aid and assisted the injured climber off the wall prior to the arrival of emergency services.

“Multiple agencies are needed in a technical rescue call because they are a very resource-intensive effort,” Breault wrote. “It takes multiple people, apparatus, and tools to secure lines, carry a basket, and medically treat a patient.”

The mutual aid response system in King County requires the closest response apparatuses to respond regardless of their agency to work together and resolve the emergency. To ensure operations go smoothly, Eastside Fire and Rescue and its surrounding agencies train together frequently, Breault wrote.

“This was another great example of utilizing resources with expertise to effect a positive outcome,” the Snoqualmie Fire Department wrote. “Great job done by all, and to the patient’s climbing partner, we tip our hats to you.”

No updates on the climber’s conditions are available at this time.

(Photos courtesy of Snoqualmie Fire Department and Emergency Management)

(Photos courtesy of Snoqualmie Fire Department and Emergency Management)