Durham woman dies in 90-foot fall from rock wall at Pilot Mountain State Park in NC

A North Carolina woman died Monday in a “climbing accident” at Pilot Mountain State Park, according to state officials.

The climber was identified as 30-year-old Miriam Cho, of Durham, according to Surry County Emergency Services.

She was climbing a popular spot known as the “Wall” at the time of her fall, according to WGHP. The park is about 20 miles northwest of Winston-Salem.

It happened “shortly after 4 p.m.,” according to a release from the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

“She fell from the top of a climbing route near the summit overlook parking lot,” state officials said.

“The fall was approximately 90 feet. Our park staff were on site within a few minutes of the call for help, and found no signs of life. Park Ranger Nick Bowman began CPR until paramedics arrived approximately five minutes later.”

Cho died at the scene, officials said.

She was accompanied by another person at the time of the fall, the state says.

It’s the second fall reported at the park this year. In January, a woman “from the Charlotte area” was critically hurt when she slipped on an icy cliff and fell about 50 feet, McClatchy News reported. Her identity was not released.

The park “centers around the iconic geologic knob” and its steep cliffs are popular for “rock climbing and rappelling,” the state says.

This story was originally published August 24, 2021 at 8:33 AM with the headline "Durham woman dies in 90-foot fall from rock wall at Pilot Mountain State Park in NC."