A 22-year-old climber was seriously injured after an eruption caused a large boulder to crash into the man’s shelter and crushed his leg on Mount Ruapehu in New Zealand.
William Pike was climbing the mountain with three companions. An eruption caused a boulder the size of a large bowling ball to careen down the mountain. The boulder crashed through the front door of Pike’s shelter and crushed both of his legs badly.
His climbing partners immediately started to dig Pike’s legs out. They were able to get his left leg out, but his right leg was pinned.
One of his friends raced down the hill to alert authorities. Rescue teams were dispatched to the scene, but Pike’s condition was deteriorating. His body temperature dropped to 25 degrees and he was on the verge of cardiac arrest.
Rescuers were able to free Pike’s leg and a chopper airlifted him off the mountain. His legs were both crushed and he was suffering from hypothermia.
At the hospital, doctors had to amputate his right leg below the knee. Pike’s parents said he was an avid and experienced climber who spent much of his time in the mountains.
Despite losing his leg, doctors say it was a miracle that he is even alive. They said his body was very close to shutting down.
Read the story here.
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