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Date of Incident

08/09/2024

Country

Ireland

Route

New route

Activity

Trad rock climbing

When

Ascending

Injury

Serious injury requiring medical treatment

Incident

Was climbing a new line on a hill above Fanore, I pulled a rock off a ledge 5m off the deck, smashed myself in the mouth with it, fell backwards, my protection ripped, I sailed ground wards into Conors shoulder and then flopped face down onto the ground, according to my pain and injuries, thigh and ribs took the brunt, but my helmet stopped me cracking my forehead too. I was knocked out for 5 mins but then was very sleepy for next hour, Conor gave out to me for napping and made sure I was holding a hat to my chin to stem the bleeding, got flown to UHG in dramatic fashion and spent the night there, 2 cracked rib, 2 broken ribs and a few stitches on my chin. my ribs on one side are still sore a few months on.

Lessons

Abseil and clean new routes before committing to leading them.

Causes

Slip, trip or fall

Anonymous?

No

Reported By

Participant

Wearing Helmets?

Yes

Rescue Services Involved?

Coast Guard helicopter R115 Shannon Airport

Steep start on a new route, at X a good hand hold gave way and I tore my big wire at O.and hit ground. Big rocks on ground too, Ouch!
Steep start on a new route, at X a good hand hold gave way and I tore my big wire at O.and hit ground. Big rocks on ground too, Ouch!

Author

Barry Watts

29 July 2025 at 06:59:24

For more advice and guidance on good practices visit BMC skills

All reports are self-submitted and have not been edited by the BMC in any way, so please keep an open mind regarding the lessons and causes of each incident or near-miss. 

If you have a concern regarding this report please contact us at incidentreports@thebmc.co.uk

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