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Abseiling Mishap - Araps 17-Feb-2008 At 12:40:17 PM lost1

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I was at Araps that day and heard Sarah fall. My friend and I found her sitting on a ledge just after she had fallen (semi-controlled by her sister's belay) about 30m or so and organised the rescue.

This info. is first hand and accurate: She was being lowered from the top of Agamemnon after climing it by her sister (aged about 12 or so). There was some gear left in so they set up to have sarah lowered from the top to clean the climb. Just as she started to decend the slack in the anchors was a bit more than expected and the belayer could not hold the rope. Sarah fell about 30m before the fall was arrested and she came to rest on a ledge (end of 1st pitch). When I saw her she had a bump to the head which would have been nasty without her helmet on. Her sister was very calm and able to assist in the rescue.

I never heard about all of her injuries so its good to hear that she's recovering well. Pass on my best wishes if you konw her.

Her sister did a good job after the accident and 12 yrs old or not she manage to minimise the impact of the fall as best she could - just to clear up some discussion below. I think the only lesson here is to always use an auto brake of some kind(prussik) when lowering - and check your system!! Oh and helmets do work!

I hope both Sarah and her sister continue climbing (when recovered) and can learn from this.

Matt.