A technical rescue team had their work cut out for them when they came to the aid of a climber in Oregon. A 16,000-pound boulder fell on the climber during what authorities are calling a “minor” rockslide, pinning the victim in place. Clackamas Fire shared photos and videos of the rescue.
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“On Sunday, May 24, 2026, at approximately 10:20am, Clackamas Fire’s Technical Rescue Team responded to a mutual aid request from Hoodland Fire to assist with the rescue of an injured climber,” wrote Clackamas Fire in a Facebook post about the incident. “[. . . ] They found the climber pinned under a boulder estimated to weigh 16,000 lbs. The boulder had fallen on the patient during a minor rockslide, and despite immediate attempts at rescue by a large crowd of bystanders, the boulder could not be moved.”
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The climber was conscious and able to communicate when rescue crews arrived. Clackamas Fire says its team had to construct a system to lift the boulder off the victim. After freeing the climber, they air lifted him/her to the hospital.
This story is developing, and details may change.
Header stock image by urbazon/Getty Images
