Mountain rescue team saves one of its own after 150 foot fall near Sitka

A volunteer mountain rescuer was saved by members of his own team on Friday after surviving a 150 foot-fall off a cliff near Sitka, authorities said.

Benjamin Clark, 35, was hiking with his wife on Mount Bassie’s Cross Island Trail when he fell, authorities said. Clark’s face and hands were injured in the fall, which also hindered his ability to walk, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, which assisted in his rescue.

The fall was reported to the Coast Guard around 10:45 a.m., the Guard said in a statement.

Alaska State Troopers said in a message posted online that Clark is a member of the Sitka Mountain Rescue team, a division of the Sitka volunteer Fire Department. Members of the team helped get Clark and his wife airlifted off the mountain, the Coast Guard said.

Clark was reported to be in stable condition Friday, according to the Guard.

The Sitka Mountain Rescue team did not respond to a phone call request for comment Saturday.