Rock climber fighting for life after falling from Victorian mountain

A 73-year-old man from Adelaide is in a critical condition after falling while climbing Mount Arapiles, in western Victoria.

Emergency services were called to the site after reports the man had fallen 30 metres from a ledge about 1pm, Ambulance Victoria said.

“He’s slipped, fallen upside down and been left hanging for about ten minutes,” Senior Constable Dana Cooper said.

A high-angle rescue was used to pull the unconscious man to safety, as he was too close to the rock face for a helicopter to be used.

He suffered pelvic injuries and multiple cuts to his face and remains in a critical condition.

A helicopter is expected to take the man to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.