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Australian Climber Spends 23 Hours Injured on a Cliff

Macciza Macpherson is an icon in the Blue Mountains climbing community

Macciza Macpherson, 57, was stranded on a cliff for 23 hours after he slipped in the Blue Mountains on May 17. A sling attached to his harness caught on a branch and threw him off balance. The simple and easy mistake became life-threatening as he fell 40 metres at Point Pilcher near Medlow Bath.

Macpherson, who is a well-known local climber with decades of experience, spent 23 hours on a ledge as temperatures plummeted to 6C and rescue crews worked to free him. He was finally airlifted to Westmead Hospital. You can donate to a fundraiser to support him here. “Macca is an icon in the Blue Mountains climbing community,” the fundraiser explained.

He has since undergone a number of surgeries and has another two penciled in for later in the week to treat some of his extensive injuries. He remains in stable condition, but is facing months of intense rehabilitation to treat two shattered ankles, both of which could still potentially need to be amputated. You can follow along in his recovery on Instagram:

From the Fundraiser

Macca is facing a long road to recovery with multiple surgeries that have already occurred and many continuing over the coming weeks and months.

The medical bills and subsequent rehabilitation needs are continuing to grow and will be a financial strain not only on Macca himself but also on his family. As many of us are aware Macca lives a nomadic lifestyle with his car and the cliff being his “castle.”

Here’s what we’re doing about it: His recovery may take some time and as a community of climbers we are pulling together to support a vulnerable member. We are fundraising to assist Macca and his family to cover the medical costs involved with a focus on rehabilitation expenses and ensuring Macca has appropriate and safe accommodation during this time to aid in supporting the best possible outcome.

In priority order: rescue costs, rehabilitation costs, housing, transport and additional needs.

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