Crews from Marion County Fire Rescue scrambled to an Ocala rock quarry Friday morning after receiving a call about a person trapped on a cliff.
The 911 caller reported that someone had fallen, was stuck about 30 feet down on the face of a cliff and was yelling for help, a report states.
The first of 11 units arrived on scene in the 300 block of NW Gainesville Road a short time later, established command, requested the assistance of the agency’s Special Operations Technical Rescue Team and made patient contact.
Firefighters determined that the man had fallen into the quarry sometime Thursday evening and had climbed back up the face of the cliff. He was stuck on a ledge approximately 30 foot down, the report says.
The Special Operations Team arrived, assessed the situation and determined that a high-angle rope rescue needed to be performed. Technicians determined the safest anchor points and lowered the rescuer into the quarry to make contact with the injured man. The rescuer was then able to assess and secure the patient for removal from the quarry.
The rescue team utilized Ladder 21’s aerial ladder to bring the patient over top of the cliff. He was hoisted to safety and transported to a local hospital by the agency’s Critical Care Team.
