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PINNACLE — Authorities reported Tuesday that a Winston-Salem man was killed in an apparent climbing accident Monday at Pilot Mountain State Park.

According to Surry County Emergency Services Director John Shelton, evidence suggested the accident probably occurred Monday afternoon. The victim has been identified as 70-year-old Lloyd Ramsey, of Winston-Salem. Shelton said park rangers had informed him that Ramsey was an experienced rappelling climber who frequented the park.

He indicated that Ramsey’s custom was to arrive at the park around 10 a.m. and would leave before closing. When he did not check back in at closing time, rangers began a search around 8 p.m. ultimately finding Ramsey after midnight, early Tuesday morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Park rangers also called in a group of rangers from Hanging Rock State Park to help with the search. Ramsey was found at the bottom of an area known as Three Bears Gully Trail. The fall from the ledge has been estimated at 50 feet by authorities. Rangers planned to travel to the scene Tuesday to continue the investigation.

The hostile terrain of the area required the victim to be carried out with teams taking turns transporting him on the trail. Groups participating included Pilot Mountain Rescue Squad, Pinnacle Fire and Rescue, Pilot Knob Volunteer Fire Department, Surry County Emergency Services and park rangers.