An Iowa man was in critical condition Sunday because of injuries suffered from a fall at King and Queen Seats in Rocks State Park in Harford, authorities said.
“This is the third time the fire department and the [Harford County] Technical Rescue Team has been out there for a rescue this year,” fire and emergency medical services spokesman Rich Gardiner said.
Cory Vaughan, 28, of Audobon, Iowa, was visiting relatives in the area and had gone with his wife, sister and other relatives Thursday afternoon to take pictures and hike at the 190-foot-tall rock formation.
Vaughan was attempting to shimmy on his stomach down from the trail to a ledge 15 feet below when he fell, said Sgt. Ken Turner, spokesman for the Natural Resources Police.
“Going over backwards like that, he lost his footing and fell,” Turner said.
Police and rescue personnel have differing estimates of how far Vaughan fell, ranging from Turner?s estimate of 100 feet to fire officials? estimate of about 40 to 50 feet.
Vaughan was not wearing any safety gear, Turner said. Investigators do not believe any foul play, drugs or alcohol was involved.
Reaching Vaughan took the technical rescue team about an hour and 10 minutes because of the terrain, Gardiner said.
Rescuers have to set up guide ropes and safety equipment before getting a stretcher to and from the site.
Two teenagers hiking the trail fell April 1, leaving one critically injured. A Parkville man died in a fall from the rocks last August.
Vaughan was flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.
