A Burning Man festival-goer suffered catastrophic injuries, including a spinal fracture, after falling 40 feet from a climbing facility.
Rachael Gingery, who was attending the cultural festival in Black Rock City, Nevada, had reportedly climbed the Naga & Captainess artwork that resembles a sinking ship early Saturday morning.
After setting up the wooden planks that are supported by steel cables connecting them to a crow’s nest, the woman lost control of a leaning pole and fell.
Speaking to MailOnline, Gingery explained: “The fall was an accident that happened when my backpack moved, causing me to lose my balance and spin towards the bottom of the pole which was at a 60-70 degree angle to the ground, so I couldn’t keep my grip.
“I understood the risk and I don’t blame the artists,” he added.
A Burning Man festival-goer suffered catastrophic injuries, including a spinal fracture, after falling 40 feet from a climbing installation.
The Naga & Captainess installation is one of the most popular at this year’s festival. The sculpture depicts a ship sinking in the desert and also features a snake and interactive treasure chests.
An ambulance was called to the scene and onlookers watched as a medical team treated Gingery, who remained conscious, according to witnesses.
Gingery also told MailOnline that she fractured four vertebrae, cracked a rib and suffered bruises to her lung and spleen.
“I’m in a lot of pain, but I’m thankful that the injuries weren’t more serious,” he said.
Gingery also explained that ‘the same backpack that made me lose my balance and fall is part of what saved me.
‘I also managed to avoid a serious head injury thanks to the hair clip I was wearing.’
He is expected to make a full recovery within six to eight weeks.
Despite the devastating accident, Gingery, who lives in San Francisco, told SFGATE, “We don’t blame the art or the artists in any way,” adding, “We understand the risks we take at Burning Man and are grateful to the artists for bringing their art. We’ll be there again next year for sure!”
The installation is one of the most popular at this year’s festival. The sculpture depicts a ship sinking in the desert and also features a snake and interactive treasure chests.
Visitors can reach the top of the piece via wooden slats suspended from inclined steel cables and can slide down a tilted pole in the middle.
Gingery’s accident is not the only tragedy to have occurred at Burning Man this year, after a 39-year-old woman died on the first day of the festival.
Jewelry designer Kendra Frazer was found unconscious at the Nevada desert festival grounds on Sunday. Emergency services were unable to revive her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The image shows the installation of the sculpture “I’m Fine” by Ukrainian artist Oleksiy Sai at the Burning Man Festival in Black Rock Desert on August 22, 2024 in Black Rock City, Nevada. Burning Man is a large-scale event that takes place in the desert for a week and focuses on art and self-expression, where various installations are displayed and is held annually in Nevada.
The sculpture acts as a symbol of how Ukrainians continue to stand strong in the face of the ongoing war as Russia attacks Ukraine with another wave of deadly attacks.
Investigators have yet to determine what killed Frazer, of Tukwila, Washington, and an autopsy and toxicology tests are pending.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office told the Reno Journal-Gazette that no foul play is suspected.
Frazer, who went by the name “Saurus” online, owned an Etsy shop that created beautiful resin jewelry and psychedelic souvenirs.
Her Facebook bio also describes her as a ‘Black Rock Ranger’, in an apparent nod to the festival.
She appears to have been a regular at Burning Man, sharing snaps of herself enjoying the famous party in 2021, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
Kendra Frazer, 39, died on the opening day of this year’s Burning Man festival
A satellite image shows Burning Man 2024. It is one of the most talked about festivals in the world.
Burning Man, which runs from August 25 to September 2, is known as a hotbed of sex, drug use and hedonism.
Last year, a 32-year-old California man died of a suspected drug overdose at the party.
And in 2017, 41-year-old Aaron John Mitchel committed suicide by driving into a burning effigy whose annual cremation marks the end of the festival.
Around 57,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Burning Man.
The event has long been one of the most famous and talked about festivals on the planet.
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