A hiker in Red River Gorge Geological Area, Kentucky took an unfortunate spill down a cliff yesterday afternoon while trying to reach for her dropped AirPods.
The Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team was dispatched to Whistling Arch after receiving a 911 call. Upon arrival they discovered the woman at the base of 15-20 foot cliff in a position where she couldn’t extricate herself. Thankfully her fall was arrested by a tree that likely prevented a more serious accident.
Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team repelled to the woman and raised her using a rescue harness. The woman was uninjured and explained she simply lost her footing trying to grab her AirPods and went over the edge.
Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team Statement:
WCSART received a 911 call for a female hiker who had fallen over a cliff at Whistling Arch. A hasty team that was first on scene made access to the hiker’s location and confirmed she was uninjured while remaining members prepared for a technical rope rescue operation.
The subject had slipped down a 15′-20′ cliff and arrested her fall by a tree that prevented a much more serious incident. A team member rappelled to her location and placed her in a rescue harness. Top side team members then conducted a single person raise to get her back to the top of the cliff.
The female hiker stated she was attempting to recover a set of air pods that she had dropped further up the cliff face when she lost her footing and went over the edge.
About Wolfe County Search & Rescue:
Founded in 2003, our team was created to serve the Wolfe County community and the greater Red River Gorge area. We are highly trained, dedicated volunteers who are passionate about one thing: saving lives. From the rugged cliffs of the Gorge to Kentucky’s swift waters, our team is ready to respond to any emergency, no matter the challenge.
Wolfe County Search & Rescue began as a grassroots effort, created by local citizens with a passion for keeping their community safe. Since our founding, we have grown into a highly specialized rescue team, serving not only Wolfe County but also Menifee and Breathitt Counties, and the internationally renowned Red River Gorge. Upon request, we assist Kentucky Emergency Management and the Kentucky State Police elsewhere in the state. Our work extends far beyond the cliffs and trails; we are prepared for any situation that comes our way—on land, in the water, and even underwater.
Over the years, WCSART has evolved to meet the demands of the environment and the needs of the people we serve. From rescuing hikers stranded to leading swift water rescues during record-breaking floods, we are constantly expanding our capabilities to stay ahead of Mother Nature’s challenges.
