Rock climber falls 20 metres from mountain

STARS Air Ambulance transported a 25-year-old man to hospital in Calgary on Sunday after he fell about 20 metres from a mountain near Canmore.

The man was lead-climbing on the sixth pitch of the northeast face of Ha Ling peak when he fell, according toKananaskis Country Public Safety Section, who rescued him from the side of the mountain.

The man suffered "numerous traumatic injuries" in the fall and was finally caught and suspended by his rope and climbing harness.

"Friends in a second climbing party were able to access the patient and assist to stabilize him while awaiting the arrival of the rescue crew," KananaskisCountry Public Safety Sectionsaid in an online account of the incident.

Alpine Helicopters was used to transport the injured climberto Quarry Lake Park at about 12:40 p.m., where he was transferred to a STARS Air Ambulance for transport to Foothills hospital.

STARS spokesman Cam Heke said the injured man was listed in serious condition.

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