Mascarat claims another climber

TWO climbers were rescued by helicopter last Sunday falling into the ravine at El Mascarat, next to the tunnels that separate Altea and Calpe. One was seriously injured and was transferred to Alicante general Hospital by air ambulance suffering head and other trauma injuries. At the time of going to press the fate of the climber was still in the balance as he was in intensive care in critical condition.

The accident struck a group of four Spanish climbers, two of which were apparently sharing the same safety rope. Apart from the seriously injured man one of his companions was treated by ambulance at the scene and the other two were unscathed.

It was a group of British hikers in the area who witnessed the fall and raised the alarm. The second less seriously injured man suffered burns and abrasions to his hands when attempting to hold the safety rope for his companion.

The British hikers guided the local Red Cross and Mountain Rescue Team to the wounded, but due to the steep terrain it proved impossible for evacuation of the more seriously injured man to be effected by stretcher alone, and so the Air Ambulance was called in.

The emergency services response was immediate. Also in attendance were local Guardia Civil, SAMU ambulance and Local Police.   

This imposing ravine is popular with mountaineers and is renowned for its difficulty and its danger. One of the most serious accidents at El Mascarat occurred in 2007 when two young Norwegian climbers died after falling from its cliff’s near sheer face.

By Paul Deed