Fatal Climbing Accident in Kalymnos – Rescue Team Releases Detailed Report
Deep sorrow has struck the local community of Kalymnos and the international climbing community following the death of climber Peter after a serious accident at the “Jurassic Park” climbing sector.
The Kalymnos Rescue Team expressed its sincere condolences to the victim’s family and released a detailed account of the incident and its involvement in the rescue operation.
According to the report, the incident began when relatives and witnesses of the fall—likely caused by equipment failure—provided first aid and immediately contacted 112, the European emergency number. The system alerted local authorities, and the Fire Service, responsible for operations outside urban areas, was mobilized.
Initial information indicated a fall of approximately 20 meters and a broken leg. A team of six responders, including firefighters and one volunteer rescuer, headed to the scene.
Upon arrival, it was confirmed that the climber had fallen around 15 meters and had already been lowered to the ground by his companions. The rescuer assessed the situation as critical, describing the climber as multi-trauma, and recommended immediate evacuation using a stretcher.
However, relatives were expecting a helicopter evacuation. The helicopter attempted three approaches but failed due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong winds. After approximately three hours, the aerial rescue effort was abandoned.
A difficult and dangerous descent operation followed, carried out in worsening weather and darkness. Despite the arrival of a volunteer doctor, the injured climber’s condition deteriorated significantly. During the evacuation, Peter went into cardiac arrest, and despite resuscitation efforts, he passed away.
His body was eventually transferred to an ambulance, with assistance from additional firefighters from the island of Kos.
The Kalymnos Rescue Team highlighted long-standing deficiencies in Greece’s air rescue system, noting that it has conducted over 150 rescue operations since 2013 without loss of life, often under extremely challenging conditions.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/kalymnos.rescue.team?locale=el_GR
