SAR NEWS: No Joy as search teams find climber dead near summit

Friday, April 2, 2010

SAR NEWS: No Joy as search teams find climber dead near summit

SAR: No Joy - Mount Shasta Search and Rescue team finds climber dead in snow cave near summit.

Updated: Sheriff's officials say rangers found the body of 26-year-old Thomas Bennett in a snow cave where his friend had left him. Bennett's body is being airlifted off the mountain. Rescuers had been prevented by stormy weather and poor visibility from conducting a search for several days.

Bennett's family was waiting at a nearby airport after being told of his death. An autopsy will be conducted.

Thomas told authorities that Bennett was unconscious when he started down the mountain by himself. He was rescued Monday.

More info: KTLA article link

Thomas said he left Bennett in a snow cave with water, candy bars and granola. He was able to show authorities Bennett's location on a map.

The seven-man search and rescue team encountered heavy snow and high winds Thursday. Rescuers were able to locate the snow cave by spotting a black avalanche marker described by Thomas.

Stormy weather and poor visibility had prevented rescuers from attempting a search on the 14,126-foot mountain near the California- Oregon border.

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Friday, April 2, 2010