Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
A climber who became stranded on Tucumcari Mountain for several hours Monday fled the scene after being rescued by firefighters, then was arrested in the city a short time later.
The man, who was being booked into the Quay County Detention Center on Monday night, was lowered by Tucumcari firefighters from a steep ledge on the mesa about 8:15 p.m. after he was stuck there for nearly four hours, Quay County Sheriff Russell Shafer said.
After being lowered to flatter terrain, the man ran from authorities, then fled on an electric scooter. He was apprehended a short time later in the 1500 block of East Tucumcari Boulevard.
Shafer said the man will be charged with resisting and evading police and trespassing. Tucumcari Mountain is private property.
Shafer earlier said the climber was attempting to use ropes to climb to the top of the mesa Monday when he became stranded on a steep ledge near the large "T" about 4:30 p.m.
The climber used his cellphone to alert authorities of his predicament.
“It's quite a precarious situation,” Shafer said. “It's pretty high.”
Shafer said Tucumcari Fire and Rescue personnel initially devised a plan to rope down to the climber and lift him to safety. They eventually decided to lower him down instead.
Sheriff's deputies assisted in the operation. No injuries were reported.
The sheriff said a rescue helicopter couldn't be landed on the mountain because of rough terrain.