Climber rescued after 40-foot fall at Chapel Ledges in Ashfield

  • Rescuers responded and LifeFlight was called to 1299 Williamsburg Road in Ashfield Wednesday evening at 6:15 p.m. after a climber fell 40 feet. Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo—Andy Castillo

  • Rescuers responded and LifeFlight was called to Williamsburg Road in Ashfield at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday after a climber fell 40 feet. Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo

  • Rescuers responded and LifeFlight was called to 1299 Williamsburg Road in Ashfield Wednesday evening at 6:15 p.m. after a climber fell 40 feet. Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo—Andy Castillo

  • Rescuers responded and LifeFlight was called to 1299 Williamsburg Road in Ashfield Wednesday evening at 6:15 p.m. after a climber fell 40 feet. Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo—Andy Castillo

  • Rescuers responded and LifeFlight was called to 1299 Williamsburg Road in Ashfield Wednesday evening at 6:15 p.m. after a climber fell 40 feet. Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo Recorder Staff/Andy Castillo—Andy Castillo

For the Gazette
Published: 9/1/2016 3:04:06 AM

ASHFIELD — A climber who reportedly fell 40 feet at Chapel Ledges was rescued and transported by a LifeFlight helicopter for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries Wednesday night.

Rescue workers were called at 6:15 p.m. after the climber fell. Just down the path from where rescuers worked, other climbers said the victim fell about 40 feet into a tree.

About 200 feet up a steep path leading to the popular climbing area, the night was bright with spotlights flicking through the trees.

Soon after the 911 call was made, LifeFlight was alerted to respond with a helicopter, and landed just down the road in an open field. The climber was transported at about 9:30 p.m.

Ashfield Fire Chief Del Haskins, who was at the base of the path leading up to the ledge, said as of about 8 p.m., the climber’s injuries were not life-threatening. Haskins said the climber slipped from a ledge and fell.

Haskins said the rescue was made more difficult because of the location and darkness. 

Along with Ashfield Fire and Police departments, Highland Ambulance, Conway, Turners Falls and Williamsburg Fire departments were called to help. The Greenfield Fire Department was also at the scene with a technical rescue truck.


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