9-16-19

Rescuers prepare to move an injured man from the rock face on Yonah Mountain in White County on Sunday.  Photo: White County Emergency Medical Service

(Cleveland)- A 55-year old unidentified man was injured Sunday afternoon when he fell approximately 100 feet down the rock face of Yonah Mountain in White County.

Public Safety Director David Murphy advised in an email that the call was received by White County 9-1-1 dispatch around 4 PM.  White County firefighters, EMS and other agencies responded.

Murphy said  White County EMS were first to arrive and advised all incoming agencies of the status of the patient and the location and conditions. 

White County Fighters had a total of 10 personnel with mutual aid from Lee Arrendale, CERT REHAB team, DNR, and City of Cleveland firefighters; a total of 21 responders were on scene. 

Rescue teams hiked into the area and set up a rope system and using a stokes basket, pulled the injured man to safety. 

A helicopter was requested, but there would be a two hour delay so White County EMS transported the patient to Northeast Georgia Medical Center by ground ambulance.

Murphy said, while rappelling off the rock face the man lost his footing and fell down approximately 100 feet landing on the first plateau of the rock face. 

According to Murphy although injured, none of his injuries were life threatening. 

Murphy said there were no other injuries and  the incident lasted 3 ½ hours.