Climber slips and falls around a thousand feet on Mount Shasta

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - An injured climber on Mount Shasta had to be airlifted to safety after he slipped and fell about a thousand feet.

Alfred Delong Kennedy, 62, Yreka, Calif., was rescued Wednesday after falling from the top of the Red Banks, an elevation of about 12,000 feet.

Kennedy, an experienced climber who had previously climbed Shasta, ineffectively stepped with his crampon, slipped and sprained his ankle, a Siskiyou County (Calif.) County Sheriff's spokesman said.

A mountain guide phoned rescuers.

Kennedy was airlifted to the Mercy Medical Center in Mount Shasta City, Calif., where he had surgery to repair a compound fracture to his left ankle. He also received scrapes and bruises but was listed in good condition at the hospital Thursday.