Man dies after fall at Monument Rocks

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.