Thunder Bay climbing gym under scrutiny after family goes public about climbing accident

The family of an eight-year-old girl who fell at a gym in Thunder Bay, Ont., and was taken to hospital is speaking out about the facility's response and calling for better safety measures. 

Alexa Letinen said her daughter, Natalia, fell at a Boulder Bear Climbing Centre summer camp last Friday morning. Natalia had a severe concussion, broken wrist, fractured elbow and partially collapsed lung, said Letinen.

"Her whole body is in pain from falling from that distance," she said. 

Letinen said she was told Natalia fell while climbing, but wasn't aware of the severity of her injuries until she arrived at the gym and another child showed her a bloodstain on the floor from where Natalia's body hit the ground

Letinen said Natalia was struggling to keep her eyes open and appeared to be in extreme pain. 

"She kept falling down and I noticed that she had this distressed breathing. This is almost this wheezing, strange breathing." 

Letinen said she took Natalia to the hospital, where she remained for more than a day.

CBC News has viewed a photo from Letinen, showing the extent of her daughter's injuries. 

"There needs to be more safety protocols," she said. "There needs to be more supervision. There needs to be some sort of policy like if somebody falls from 20 or 30 feet, we should call the ambulance."

Letinen said she's frustrated she wasn't able to get a clear witness account of what happened from staff or the owner. 

"How does something like that happen?" she asked. "The ambulance definitely should have been called. She never should have been moved, especially if she had potentially a spinal injury or neck injury.

"I decided that I needed to retain a lawyer, and kind of look into this further and try to hold them accountable," said Letinen. 

Gym says it prioritizes safety

CBC News contacted Boulder Bear Climbing Centre and the owner for comment, but Dallas Markall declined our interview request. 

The gym did post about the incident on social media Thursday evening, defending its safety protocols and saying "everyone at the gym is heartbroken for the child." 

"To suggest that anyone within the facility wouldn't do their absolute best to care for any injured person let alone a child is inaccurate and insulting to all those present, not just the owner. Everyone working that day is fully trained in first [aid] and did their very best. As a note the child walked out of the facility with her mother.

"Boulder Bear staff and owner take the safety of ALL patrons seriously. Boulder Bear has an [impeccable] safety record and has a number of safety measures that you won't find in the majority of climbing gyms."