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FreeCoffee
Trad climber
Joshua Tree, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 18, 2011 - 03:20pm PT
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The Press Release:
Rock Climber Injured at Joshua Tree National Park
Park rangers responded this afternoon to assist an injured rock climber in the Saddle Rock area of Joshua Tree National Park. William Becher, 65, fell 30-feet in a climbing accident and sustained injuries to his lower extremities. Mr. Becher was flown by Mercy Air to Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs for treatment of his injuries.
National Park Service rangers were notified of the accident at approximately noon on Friday. Ten members of the park’s Joshua Tree Search-and-Rescue (JOSAR) team responded to the incident. Park Ranger Mike Shuman was Incident Commander for the rescue effort. Park rescuers were supported by emergency personnel from San Bernardino County Fire Engine 36, Morongo Basin Ambulance, and a Mercy Air helicopter. Mr. Becher, a California resident, was carried by rescue personnel from the base of Saddle Rock to the park road where he was loaded into a Morongo Basin Ambulance and taken a short distance to the Oyster Bar parking area for medical transport by Mercy Air to Desert Regional Hospital.
The incident is under investigation by Joshua Tree National Park rangers.
-NPS-
12/16/11
Cheers to a speedy recovery.
Bernadette Regan
JT Climbing Ranger
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reddirt
climber
PNW
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Dec 18, 2011 - 03:41pm PT
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sustained injuries to his lower extremities
Thankful that it sounds like the noggin's ok. Best wishes for solid recovery & not-too-uncomfy holiday season.
edit: didn't know about spine injury when I wrote this.
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Dec 18, 2011 - 03:54pm PT
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Walk on the Wild Side claims another?
(edit: apparently not)
Best wishes and quick healing to the injured.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Dec 18, 2011 - 03:56pm PT
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Serious bummer. Best wishes to Bill Becher.
In the photo in the news article linked above, it looks like the rescue is at or near the start of Right On?
If this is the Bill Becher I've heard of, he is very active in many outdoor sports and a photographer. Hopefully he can return to all of his activities quickly!
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climbrunride
Sport climber
Golf Wall, CO
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Dec 18, 2011 - 04:03pm PT
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Bummer. Hope he heals up well without too much pain.
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RJMang
climber
Santa Fe
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Dec 18, 2011 - 04:25pm PT
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Bummer? That lame response is something you say when someone misses a connecting flight. Bill fell 30' and broke his spine. He's paralyzed. Bummer is what you say when you might have a tough few hours, not the rest of your life.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Dec 18, 2011 - 04:27pm PT
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Thanks for the additional info on the spinal injury. I'd not seen that before. The first info suggested it was just lower extremity injury. Second one added a head injury. And now your post.
Everyone here hates to see someone injured. That is universal. No need to berate Climbrunride or KSolem regarding info they couldn't have possibly known.
We all wish healing and comfort to Bill.
edit: Do you have a link to this new info? Thanks in advance.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Dec 18, 2011 - 04:35pm PT
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Bummer? That lame response is something you say...
I think you will find a deep well of compassion and hope for your injured friend on this forum.
I am very sorry to hear of the seriousness of his injuries, and wish him the best of all possible outcomes. He will be in my thoughts.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Dec 18, 2011 - 04:48pm PT
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Not good....sending healing thoughts and prayers his way...
We all have different ways of expressing concern...most important is assuming positive intentions.
Susan
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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Dec 18, 2011 - 04:57pm PT
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Thanks Bernadette.
I hope the climber has a full recovery sooner than later.
The amount of traffic in that particular area is the reason it sees more headlines. The climbs there are as safe as you make them.
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reddirt
climber
PNW
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Dec 18, 2011 - 04:59pm PT
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Bummer? That lame response is something you say when someone misses a connecting flight. Bill fell 30' and broke his spine. He's paralyzed. Bummer is what you say when you might have a tough few hours, not the rest of your life.
perhaps the "lame" response was not intentional. will now go click on link.
edit: the quote above was the 1st reference to spine injury in thread. so sorry to hear. Still early-ish in the timeline so best wishes, absolutely.
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mirv
climber
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Dec 18, 2011 - 05:20pm PT
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Bill fell 30' and broke his spine.
Sh#t, RJ do you know this for sure? This is starting to sound awful.
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rlf
Trad climber
Josh, CA
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Dec 18, 2011 - 05:26pm PT
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It was a route to the left of WOTWS. Not sure which one yet. It wasn't Right On.
I heard about the spine injury, but wasn't sure. Sad to hear the outcome.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Dec 18, 2011 - 05:34pm PT
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Sorry to read about this person being injured. Best wishes for him and family/friends at this time.
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jsb
Trad climber
Bay area
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Dec 18, 2011 - 06:02pm PT
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Hoping for the best...
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Dec 18, 2011 - 06:06pm PT
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best wishes to Bill
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Dec 18, 2011 - 07:42pm PT
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Best wishes to all involved.
Prayers for bill.
Josh
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Gary
climber
That Long Black Cloud Is Coming Down
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Dec 18, 2011 - 08:25pm PT
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Best wishes and hopes for Bill Becher.
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Batrock
Trad climber
Burbank
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Dec 18, 2011 - 08:39pm PT
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Bernadette,
It was nice to meet you a few weeks ago at the Intersection Rock parking lot, I was climbing with Donini. Thanks for your hard work.
Kevin Mokracek
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