Rock climber turned EMT sprints up mountain with blood in backpack to save dying father

An experienced rock climber and father was dying after a 20-foot fall on North Carolina’s Shortoff Mountain — and an experienced climber-EMT wasn’t going to let that happen.

Jacob Gregory had fallen down a rock face while leading an ascent with his son, who called 911. He suffered critical injuries and internal bleeding and needed immediate medical attention.

Will Soper, 28, a volunteer with Burke Rescue Inc. and a Search and Rescue unit serving central North Carolina, was teaching a training course two hours away when he heard the dispatch.”The rescue occurred in a notoriously remote and challenging place to access,” Soper told Outside. “As soon as I heard the dispatch, I knew it would be a challenging rescue.”First responders had reached Gregory when Soper arrived at the trailhead. Then came the radio call: the patient needed blood, fast.

Soper ran back down, packed blood bags, ice and transfusion gear into a cooler and hiked back up — gaining 1,000 feet in 1.5 miles in just 30 minutes to reach the rappel point above Linville Gorge where rescuers had lowered down to Gregory.”In all honesty, ‘run’ is a little bit hyperbolic,” Soper said. “I maintained a fast hiking or jogging pace and made sure I didn’t stop for any breaks.”

Thanks to his mountain conditioning and the response of more than 20 agencies, Gregory was stabilized on the ledge and transported to Atrium Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. His family says he survived because of the effort.”To every responder who answered that call: thank you,” Gregory’s family wrote on a GoFundMe. “You saved a life and brought a husband, father, brother, son, friend, and loved one to safety.”Soper urged others who felt moved by the rescue to volunteer.”If you read this and thought, I want to help, please contact your local rescue squad or search and rescue team.”