Originally published Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Climber rescued from Mount Rainier after falling into crevasse

A climber has been rescued from Mount Rainier after he fell into a crevasse near Kautz Glacier on Tuesday. Mitchell Bell, in his mid-50s...

By Arla Shephard

Seattle Times staff reporter

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ED HRIVNAK

Ed Hrivnak, left, of Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, tends to climbers after one was injured in a fall on Mount Rainier.

A climber has been rescued from Mount Rainier after he fell into a crevasse near Kautz Glacier on Tuesday.

Mitchell Bell, in his mid-50s, was in a climbing party of five when he lost his footing and fell into the crevasse. In the next couple of hours, members of his party, including a doctor who assessed his condition, pulled him out.

Shortly afterward, members of the party descended about 2,000 feet and found guides from Alpine Ascents International. The guides contacted the National Park Service around 8:30 p.m. via radio.

A Chinook military helicopter was dispatched from Fort Lewis on Wednesday morning, and Bell was airlifted and taken to the Army's Madigan Army Medical Center about 7 a.m.

"He seems to be doing OK. He definitely sustained some injuries," said David Gottlieb, a lead climbing ranger at Mount Rainier National Park. "He looks like he lost some teeth, possibly broke some ribs."

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