Date of Event: 9/3/2017
Canyon involved: Seven Tea Cups
Region: California Sierras
Country: United States
Submitted by: Danielle Monroy
Source: www.ropewiki.com
Injury: Broken ankle
Cause: Jumping error
Description of Event: According to a person at the incident, the water in the pool was about 3 feet deep. Ten people out of the group had completed the jump successfully. The person jumping next was a bigger guy and he landed hitting an object, breaking his ankle. There was a wilderness first responder in the group who put a splint to his ankle. A group was sent out to call for help. Two law enforcement officers came in and assessed the situation. They decided to call for an air extraction. While the helicopter was on its way it hit a thunderstorm and was forced to turn around. Another SAR party was sent in to stay with the patient during the night. He then was airlifted to a hospital in Visalia the following day.
Analysis: All jumps should first be checked for water depth and underwater hazards by someone on rappel. Shallow or technical jumps with a small landing zone are particularly dangerous.