Don't stop rock climbing, Jessica McErlean's mother says

The family of Jessica McErlean, the young woman who fell to her death in Flatrock late last week, is still trying to piece together what happened to the experienced rockclimber.

Sandra McErlean told CBC NewsTuesdayher daughter, 21, fell as she was rappelling down the cliff on The Beamer, an areaused by numerous climbers andthe location of a rock climbing festival in July.

McErlean doesn't believenegligencecaused the passionateclimber's death.

She said her daughter had just completed a climbing challenge and made it to the top of the cliff with other climbers cheering her on before she began rappellingback to the ground.

Friends in the area heard Jessica McErlean, who was wearing a harness and safety equipment,shout out somethingwhen she was alone on the rope, Sandra McErlean said.

JessicaMcErlean fell off the rope and onto her right side, her helmet crashing as she hit the rocks below.

Don't stop climbing, mother says

Sandra McErlean waited anxiously at the helipad at the Health Sciences Centre Friday eveningwhilea Universal helicopter tried to reach the girlwho had broken bones.

The helicopter ended up turning around after it was unable to reach her.

After receiving a phone call from one of her daughter's friends indicating she'd be OK, McErlean thought Jessica would pull through.

But her worst fears came true when an ambulance driver informed her that Jessica had died of her injuries.

Since her death, Sandra McErlean said she, her husband and Jessica's brother Timothy havereturned to the site where she fell. McErlean said her daughter's spirit is there, adding it's a comfort to her.

Jessica McErlean was well loved, her mother said, and began rock climbing at Wallnuts Climbing Centrewhen she was eightyearsold.

Sandra McErlean said theowner of Wallnuts in St. John's,Leo Van Ulden, has returned to the site several times, studying what could have happened.

Despite the tragic accident, McErlean said she doesn'twant anyone to stop climbing and supports Wallnuts.

Jessica McErlean's funeral takes placeWednesday in St. John's.