Trapped climber cuts off own arm to free himself

A Colorado climber amputated his own arm five days after becoming pinned by a boulder, and began hiking to safety.

Aron Ralston, 27, is in serious condition at a hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, after searchers found him hiking out.

Ralston was climbing last weekend in southwestern Utah when a 90kg boulder fell on him, pinning his right arm, authorities said.

After three days he ran out of water, and two days later he decided on drastic action.

Using his pocketknife, he amputated his arm below the elbow, applied a tourniquet and administered first aid. He then rigged anchors, fixed a rope and abseiled to the canyon floor.

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