Whitewater, CO – The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office responded Saturday afternoon to a report of a climbing accident with injuries in the area of Mother's Buttress, north of Highway 141 in Whitewater. The 48-year-old Grand Junction man reportedly fell at least 120 feet from the Tooth and Claw climb. The Mesa County Sheriff's Office, Mesa County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue volunteers, Gateway Fire Department, CareFlight, and the BLM all responded to the scene. A drone was deployed and located the fallen party and a companion on a ledge 200 feet from the base, where they waited for rescue climbers to reach them.

The patient was transported to a local hospital via helicopter, where he is said to be in stable condition.

As a result of the accident, Highway 141 was temporarily shut down in both directions to accommodate rescue efforts.