Burke County Emergency Services Director Mike Willis said rescue crews were able to reach the victim by rappelling down the mountain about 90 minutes after the call for aid was made. Other climbers were performing CPR on the victim.
The Chicago resident was attempting to free climb in one of the most challenging portions of Linville Gorge, authorities said Sunday. https://t.co/5jiorIt0ty
— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) July 1, 2019
The victim, Austin Howell, 31, of Chicago, was pronounced dead at 1:30 p.m.
Authorities said Howell was free climbing in one of the most challenging portions of the Linville Gorge.
The U.S. Forest Service is investigating the incident.
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