Rock climber injured after falling from cliff in New Hampshire

Shaun Pickington, 36, of Glassboro, N.J. was injured after falling while climbing up Whitehorse Ledge late Thursday afternoon, New Hampshire Fish and Game said.New Hampshire Fish and Game

A 36-year-old rock climber from New Jersey was rescued after falling from a cliff onto a ledge in New Hampshire on Thursday, officials said.

A little after 4 p.m., the climber, Shaun Pickington of Glassboro, N.J., was making his way up the Standard Route of Whitehorse Ledge with his wife, Komal, belaying him from below, officials said.

Pickington climbed more than 600 feet before falling eight feet onto a ledge, severely injuring his leg. He slid a few feet off the ledge but his wife pulled on the rope to stop his fall.

Members of the Mountain Rescue Service quickly climbed to Pickington to treat his injuries and put him in a rescue basket, officials said. They lowered him to the base of the cliff and brought him to a waiting ambulance at around 8:30 p.m. Rescuers helped his wife down the cliff as well.

Pickington was taken to Memorial Hospital in North Conway, officials said. His fall was most likely caused by “excessive rope drag” and unfamiliarity with the route, they said.