Brian McCabe Mountain Mail News Editor, April 10, 2017
Matthew Wayne Lackey, 31, Boulder, died Monday after sustaining serious injuries from a fall at Chalk Cliffs on Mount Princeton. Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze reported Lackey and his friends were climbing the rock face without equipment when a large boulder dislodged, causing Lackey to fall approximately 40 feet to the ground below, then tumble another 100 feet down the rocky slope. His friends moved him to level ground as they awaited emergency response, Spezze said.
Hikers who saw the fall reported it at 12:58 p.m., and sheriff’s deputies responded along with personnel from Chaffee County Emergency Medical Services, Chaffee County Search and Rescue North and South and Chaffee County Fire Protection District. Deputies were met by the hikers who called in the incident, who said they heard a rock falling from the cliff area and saw a man falling when they looked up. Emergency crews administered first aid, and REACH Air Ambulance was called to the scene, but Lackey was pronounced dead at the scene. The Chaffee County coroner responded and took possession of the body.
