Rescue Chopper Crashes on Oregon's Mt. Hood
Thu May 30, 5:18 PM ET
PORTLAND, Ore. (Reuters) - A National Guard helicopter trying to rescue six survivors of a deadly climbing accident crashed into Oregon's 11,237 foot Mt. Hood on Thursday and tumbled onto a glacier.
The fate of those aboard the helicopter was not immediately known. The scene was shown live on local television with a stunned announcer saying, "Oh, if only this was a movie."
Rescuers in National Guard Black Hawk helicopters had been lowered to an icy crevasse where nine climbers had fallen as they approached the summit. Three of those climbers were killed and the other six injured.
Local station KGW-TV reported that crews equipped with oxygen tanks, life support and specialized climbing gear were moving toward the scene in tractors and said that rescue crews were concerned because rising temperatures threatened the stability of the icy surface.
The station reported that the climbers fell on Thursday morning as they were about 800 feet from the summit of Mt. Hood, which is about 50 miles east of Portland, Oregon.
I've been listening to the radio off and on today while working, and not exactly sure how many died on Hood at this point, guess I'll watch the 11:00 News. A tragic day for those all involved and a sad day for mountaineering that's for sure.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate NWHikers.net earns from qualifying purchases when you use our link(s).