A man in his 40s was rescued from Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland Park early Tuesday after falling about 30 feet, then airlifted to a hospital as crews worked to reach him on the rugged mountain.
According to a report by KFOX14/CBS4, the rescue happened around 5:15 a.m. The man told rescue crews he had been stranded for roughly four or five hours before he was located and extracted. Officials had not released details about the nature or severity of his injuries.
The rescue involved El Paso Fire STAR 1, which transported the man by helicopter to a hospital. The Sunland Park Fire Department lists mountain rescue among its specialized emergency-response services.
Mount Cristo Rey Warns Visitors About Limited Access
The Mount Cristo Rey Restoration Committee says the site is open on a limited basis and for planned special events, with no security or first aid available unless an event is scheduled. Its website also warns visitors not to climb alone and says hikers assume the risks of the ascent.
Tuesday's fall follows another serious incident on the mountain. On May 14, two people fell from Mount Cristo Rey, and Sunland Park's fire chief told KVIA that both suffered injuries that appeared serious but were not life-threatening.
