[at-l] Grist for Cell Phone Wars

["David F. Addleton" <dfaddleton@mindspring.com>]

Fallen climber uses cellular phone to lead rescue workers to him
July 30, 2000
Web posted at: 4:45 AM EDT (0845 GMT)

GEORGETOWN, Colorado (AP) -- A man who fell about 200 feet down a rocky slope while climbing alone was rescued after he called authorities on his cellular phone. 
Rescuers reached Mark Chase, 52, of Edmond, Oklahoma, about five hours after fell Saturday. Chase told 911 dispatchers that he had injured himself and was afraid he would fall farther if he tried to move, Clear Creek County Undersheriff Bill Bridenburg said. 
A helicopter carried rescuers to a slope above Chase in the Dead Dog Couloir area, which is 11,000 to 13,000 feet above sea level between Grays Peak and Torreys Peak. They used a rope to reach Chase, then carried him for 45 minutes to a spot where the helicopter could land. 
Chase had pain in his hip, legs and an arm. He was taken to a hospital in Denver, about 35 miles away. A hospital official said his condition was stable but gave no information about his injuries. 
Bridenburg said Chase, who called dispatchers every 20 minutes until the rescue, was fortunate his calls got through because the area is so remote. 
"I have three different cell-phone carriers in my car and none of them had any coverage just below where he was," Bridenburg said. "He was lucky." 
Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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