Two climbers were seriously injured Saturday when they were struck by a big rock dislodged by another climber in Clear Creek Canyon.
The accident occurred when a rock grabbed a climber on a hillside broke free and fell, hitting two women standing on a ledge. Golden Fire Department Capt. Ben Moline said the rock was roughly the size of a person.
Rescue crews went to the site around 9:45 a.m. The Colorado State Patrol blocked off a portion of U.S. 6.
Moline said rescue workers used ropes and a 100-foot ladder to reach the women, who were part of a recreational cllimbing party. He said the area is a well-known climbing site.
One woman was flown by helicopter to the hospital and the other was taken by ambulance. The operation was finished by about 1:30 p.m.
Several agencies helped, including the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the West Metro Fire Protection District.
The highway is a main route to the gambling towns of Central City and Black Hawk.
