Man dies after fall at Monument Rocks
Published on -7/13/2009, 2:11 PM
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GOVE -- A 38-year-old Scott City man died Saturday night after falling off a chalk pyramid at Monument Rocks in western Gove County.
According to witness statements, Richard Malchow, Scott City, lost his footing after climbing a section of the landmark and fell approximately 45 to 50 feet, Gove County Sheriff Allan Weber said this morning.
Weber said it is believed Malchow was intoxicated at the time of the incident, which occurred at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Law enforcement officers from Gove and Logan counties, as well as emergency personnel from Oakley, responded to the 911 call.
Weber said two Scott City women who were with Malchow administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation after the fall, but he was not able to be revived.
He was later pronounced dead after an examination by the county coroner.
An autopsy has been authorized, but Weber said Malchow's fall appears to be accidental.
It is so sad these things happen. I hope this won't cause the safety police to think thousands of dollars now need to be spent to make the area safe
(Posted by: Bob Waldman)
Thank you: 7/14/2009
Thank you Cautious nurse for your prayers. His boys left behind can use all the prayers they can get. Although he made a bad choice does not define who he was as a man, father, son, and brother. He will be missed dearly.
(Posted by: lonely heart)
He still had a family: 7/14/2009
So what if he made a bad decision, He still had loved one left behind. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to speak ill of the dead. How heartless can you be?
(Posted by: JC)
sad: 7/14/2009
you'd think all the signs posted that say do not climb would be some indication that they are DANGEROUS! a friend of mine ffell out there about two weeks ago and had to be flown to wichita. it's not a playground. it's a tourist attraction and the rocks so obviously demand respect.
(Posted by: yep yep)
Think: 7/14/2009
One more comment, once you get to the top, you also need to be able to get back down..a whole different story trying to get down and not seeing a foot hole!!!!!
(Posted by: X)
Waste: 7/13/2009
To bad,don't do stupid things drunk, it gets people killed, bravery doesn't come from a bottle, just bad judgment!
(Posted by: X)
dangerous: 7/13/2009
I am frm scott city...and the rocks can be a dangerous place if your climbing drunk....its a sad and horrible accident....but i have known people to fall from lesser areas of the monument stone sober....people need to remember to exercise caution out there even though its not like scalling a mountain that is hundreds of feet high...it is still dangerous and out in the location it is in...it is even more imparitive that people be careful because either way, you have a long haul before you can recieve proper medical treatment. I will pray for his family. and hope others learn that doing things like drinking(if he was drunk) and climbing is a very stupid idea.
(Posted by: cautious nurse!)
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