A young child was flown to the hospital after falling approximately 15 feet at a rock climbing gym in Crystal Lake and suffering apparent serious injuries, fire officials said.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and Crystal Lake Police Department responded around 1:47 p.m. Thursday to North Wall Rock Climbing Gym, 824 South Main Street in Crystal Lake, for a report of a fall victim.
A 911 caller reported a person had fallen approximately 10-20 feet but was conscious and breathing, according to emergency radio traffic.
Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Mark Menzel said emergency crews arrived and found a child who had fallen approximately 15 feet.
An EMS protocol was initiated and it was determined that a medical helicopter was needed based on the extent of the victim’s injuries.
Menzel said the child was young but declined to release their exact age, citing HIPAA regulations. Lake and McHenry County Scanner was told the female child was possibly younger than six.
A Mercyhealth REACT helicopter responded to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in Huntley.
The ambulance transported the child to the hospital’s helipad and met the helicopter before transferring the patient to the crew, Menzel said.
The victim’s condition was not released but she was reportedly stable at the time of transport.
The incident occurred at North Wall Rock Climbing Gym, which advertises 3,500 square feet of gym space broken into three areas.
Those areas include a 2,000 square foot bouldering room, a 600 square foot auto-belay/top rope room and a 1,600 square foot workout and training facility.
The business’ website says all ages are allowed to climb but children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Further details on what may have led to the accident were not released.