Rescuers with the Columbia Fire Department responded to a climbing accident at Capen Park Tuesday afternoon. According to a news release from the city of Columbia and the Columbia Fire Department, a person was climbing in Capen Park when they fell approximately 30 feet after the rocks gave way under the climber.
Officials told KOMU 8 News that responders struggled to find the climber at first and had to used the GPS location from the initial 911 call to find the climber. According to a news release from the city of Columbia, due to the nature of the call, six fire companies were dispatched with “specialized technical rescue personnel and equipment.”
According to the release, the individual was found within 10 minutes after the companies’ arrival. Once found, the climber was taken in an off-road utility vehicle and then transported to the hospital in an awaiting ambulance.
Fire Department spokesperson Skyler Clark told KOMU 8 that the climber was able to stand up when found. Columbia Fire Department says they would like to remind residents to practice caution and exercise care when exploring Columbia’s parks.
