Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
Newsflash/@gobiernochihuahua
These images show the four-hour rescue mission to save an American climber who was left hanging from a safety rope for four hours after his climbing partner had fallen 1,000 feet to his death.
The incident occurred when American climber Aaron Livingston was climbing a rock wall known as El Gigante in the municipality of Ocampo in the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico with fellow climber American alpinist Nolan Smythe, 26.
Smythe and Livingston were reportedly caught in the middle of a rockfall during the climb which broke Smythe’s rope and sent him plummeting some 300 metres (984 feet), according to reports.
Livingston was saved by a safety rope that left him hanging but unable to climb to safety, however, he managed to call a friend using a satellite phone.
The pal then alerted the authorities who sent drones and teams on land to find the pair. Livingston was reportedly rescued by the emergency services and two alpinist friends named Sergio Almada and Jose David Martines after four hours of climbing.
Images show the rescue operation, with the team seen trekking through the mountains to find the stranded climber.
He received medical help from the National Defence Secretary (SEDENA) at a mountain camp before being transferred to a medical centre in Cajurichi on Sunday.
The rescue team searched for Smythe’s body but poor weather conditions and intense fog reportedly reduced visibility in the area with the army using helicopters and drones in the search.
In the video, the helicopter used in the operation can be seen taking off.
Smythe’s body was reportedly found on Tuesday by the Mexican Air Force after a search that lasted four days.
His body is now under the custody of the National General’s Attorney Office while the legal procedures to repatriate the body have been started.
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