PHOENIX – A man died Wednesday after falling between 40 and 50 feet while hiking at Camelback Mountain in Phoenix.
Firefighters and emergency personnel responded to the mountain after receiving reports a hiker had fallen and was injured.
The 25-year-old victim, identified as Clint McHale, was rescued from the mountainside with the help of a chopper but died en route to the hospital.
Detectives have learned McHale and a friend were hiking as they often did and decided to “free climb” along the south part of Camelback Mountain. They both hike often and police say they usually stay on the trails.
The men reached an area where McHale was unable to keep climbing. His friend reached back to help but was not able to hold onto McHale's hand and he fell.