Hiker in Critical Condition After 50-Foot Fall From McAfee Knob
A hiker was severely injured today after falling 50 feet off of McAfee Knob, a mountain in Roanoke County, VA. Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded to reports of an injured hiker at the mountain’s summit at six a.m. on Sunday, March 29th.
Rescuers reached the injured hiker, who was described as a male in his 20s, at 6:54 a.m. and were able to transport him to the trailhead via all-terrain vehicle, where a waiting medical helicopter brought him to a local hospital. The hiker’s injuries are reported to be life-threatening, though no further details are available at this time.
McAfee Knob is an iconic waypoint on the Appalachian Trail that is renowned for its exposed, rocky summit. The terrain around the summit is extremely steep and rocky, making it difficult to access. Thirty search-and-rescue personnel, three police officers, and three all-terrain vehicles participated in this morning’s rescue operation, which concluded at about 9:30 a.m.
Featured image via Roanoke County Fire and Rescue.
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