Norman firefighter dies after rock climbing accident at Wildlife Refuge

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Norman Fire Department announced on their Facebook page that one of their own, Levi Wilkins, died in a rock-climbing accident on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

It was reported on Sept. 22, that two climbers were stranded on a Wildlife Refuge trail and were suspended from a cliff. One of those climbers was said to be in need of medical attention.

In the Facebook post, the Norman Fire Department mentions how Wilkins courageously battled cancer a few years ago.

Wilkins’ wife described him as, “...the most incredible husband, father, son, brother & friend.”

She went on to say in her own Facebook post that her husband lived big after beating cancer and lived like everyday is a gift.

While the Public Information Officer for the Norman Fire Department did corroborate over the weekend that the rock climbing incident in the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge was indeed the same incident that led to the loss of life of their colleague Levi Wilkins, they did not go on record confirming that information until after 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, 2023.

Out of respect for the family’s grieving space, they didn’t want to go on record at that time.

You can count on us to bring you further information on exactly what the department knows once further information is released.

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