A climber fell about 200 feet and died as he was preparing to rappel down Picnic Lunch Wall at Smith Rock State Park on Tuesday morning, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and park officials.

A sheriff’s spokesman said Tuesday the man’s name could not be released.

The man fell and landed on Misery Ridge Trail about 7:50 a.m. on Smith Rock’s popular east side, according to Scott Brown, park manager for the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation, which oversees the state park.

Brown said the man was getting ready to rappel down.

“Witnesses said he was preparing his ropes when he fell,” Brown said.

The sheriff’s office said witnesses saw the man fall.

A park visitor called 911. Emergency responders contacted Brown, who arrived and had his staff provide crowd control.

Brown said several good Samaritans stayed with the man after he fell and attempted basic first aid. One of them was a registered nurse.

First responders arrived and determined the man had died, and the coroner was called. A funeral home arrived to transport the man’s body.

Misery Ridge Trail was closed briefly.

This time of year and autumn are the busiest times of year at the park, Brown said.

From 2002 to 2014, three visitors died at Smith Rock. Four had died in the past two years before Tuesday’s death.

— Reporter: 541-383-0325, gandrews@bendbulletin.com