78-year-old man falls to death while rappelling in West Bank
Rope said to have snapped, causing grandfather to plunge 15-20 meters during trip near Karnei Shomron with group including his grandson
A 78-year-old man fell to his death on Friday while rappelling in a cave during a hike near the West Bank settlement of Karnei Shomron, police said.
According to Hebrew media reports, it appeared that the man’s rope snapped as he was ascending out of a cavern part of the Bell Caves complex, causing him to fall some 15-20 meters (50-65 feet).
He was reportedly part of a group including his grandson and other family members. Rescuers managed to bring him out of the cave, and paramedics attempted to resuscitate him but were forced to declare his death.
Police launched an investigation into the incident.
This was the second time in two weeks someone was killed in a rappelling accident.
Last Tuesday 18-year-old Yonatan Yankelowicz of the West Bank Halamish settlement (also known as Neve Tsuf) died while rappelling at the Shilat cliffs near Modi’in.
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