Recreational climbers first to respond after NZ lawyer Lee Lee Heah dies in Mount Arapiles fall
In short:
Rock climbers assisted emergency services after a woman fell and died during an ascent at Mount Arapiles on Tuesday.
Zorba Parer says he heard a cry and went to help 69-year-old Lee Lee Heah, who was a New Zealand national.
What's next?
A report on Ms Heah's death will be prepared for the coroner.
Recreational climbers were the first to respond after a 69-year-old rock climber died in a fall at Mount Arapiles in western Victoria.
New Zealand barrister Lee Lee Heah fell as she scaled the final section of a climb called Eskimo Nell.
Mount Arapiles is a renowned rock climbing destination attracting outdoor climbers from across the world.
Emergency services were called around 3:30pm on Tuesday to Centenary Park Access Road.
Climbing veteran Zorba Parer heard a cry and went to help.
He free-climbed 80 metres without a harness and rope and was the first person to reach Ms Heah, while two other climbers followed him.
A rescue helicopter hovers over Mt Arapiles after a climber fell. (Supplied: Zorba Parer)
Another two climbers went to the top to drop a rappel line and abseiled down 30 metres.
"I could see a body wedged in the crack which didn't look good — it looked like she had fallen directly on the ledge," Mr Parer said.
"I scrambled up and checked on her. There was no pulse."
Mr Parer said it took him 20 minutes to reach the deceased climber.
He then brought the climber's belay partner up, and together with the four other climbers, commenced CPR on Ms Heah until paramedics arrived.
He estimated the helicopter arrived about 20 minutes after that.
While Mr Parer was not able to help Ms Heah, he was glad to assist her belayer and help emergency services find her.
"I didn't know the lady … I think it's always easier than if you have a personal connection with someone … I certainly won't forget her now," he said.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Zorba Parer free-climbed without a rope to reach the woman. (ABC Wimmera: Julia Bergin)
'Above average' year for rescues
Country Fire Authority (CFA) assistant chief fire officer Mark Gunning confirmed that by the time paramedics were able to get to Ms Heah, she had died.
The CFA was part of a full emergency response led by Victoria Police, including search and rescue from Melbourne, SES, Rescue Fire Victoria and Ambulance Victoria.
Victoria's SES said that in the past 12 months, they had assisted emergency services in 11 rescues at Mount Arapiles.
Mount Arapiles is a popular spot among campers. (Supplied: Zorba Parer)
The last death from a fall at Mount Arapiles was in 2014.
Wimmera SES acting operations manager Jordan Bush said they saw high-angle rescues quite regularly, which intensified from October to March when the weather was warmer.
"This year has been probably an above average year in terms of how busy our high-angle rescue [team] has been," he said.
Climbers reminded to check gear
Mr Bush praised the capabilities of the local units, who were ready to go 24/7 with all their equipment.
"We're pretty fortunate that in both SES and CFA, in the Natimuk and Horsham areas particularly … we've got a lot members that are recreational rock climbers or abseilers, just generally outdoorsy people," he said.
Mr Bush said it was a timely reminder for climbers and abseilers to check their equipment.
"It's a great idea to make regular checks of gear a habit, and ensure any equipment you might use is actually fit for the task you're about to use it for," he said.