Looking for accident update-fall on Heavenly Path highball in Bishop

Hi, my group of friends was bouldering in Bishop the week of March 25. A group of college boys was bouldering in the Happies near us, and one of their friends took a horrible fall off the top of Heavenly Path (a classic highball V1). He landed straight on his tailbone/back. Scary!! After the fall, he could not move very easily and was in severe pain, and was also experiencing progressive feet and hand numbness. His friends were hoping it was not a bad injury (they were pretty young and I think in denial about the situation...) but we told them that they needed to call 911...luckily they did and Inyo County EMS came fairly quickly. They are pros! His friends did a fantastic job of keeping him calm and as comfortable as reasonable, they really came through for him. Our group also stayed with them to make sure he got rescued safely; but we did not get their contact info and I have been thinking about this boy quite a lot, hoping he is OK. 

All I know is that his name was Ben and that they were college kids from Oregon. I know its a longshot, but if anyone knows what happened...I just hope he didn't end up paralyzed. 

Learnings from this accident are to respect the boulders and especially respect highballs. The boys smoked weed that morning, and put their beginner friend on a highball, with just a thin Mad Rock pad. They also did not spot him. 

True spotting is dead.

That was what everyone did, BITD 

Now I just watch people deck - on a pad- as if the ground was just like the floor at the gym.

I hope the young man will be OK. Impacts like that can lead to a life of back pain down the road.

Ah, man, I hope he’s okay! That’s not one to be casual on.

Ran into a friend of the injured person today while climbing. He said he has a broken back but isn't paralyzed. That's about all he knew

@TaylorP thank you so much for the update!! So glad to hear that he is not paralyzed, and "just" has a broken back. Appreciate the info