Vancouver man, 63, dies while attempting to fulfil dream of summiting Mount Everest
A Vancouver man has died while attempting to fulfil his life-long dream of summiting Mount Everest, his family and colleagues confirm.
Pieter Swart, 63, died while descending below Camp IV—the last major stop before the summit—after suffering an “undefined respiratory event,” according to a statement by the head of University of British Columbia’s department of anesthesiology, where Swart worked as an associate professor.
“We lost Pieter while he was bravely and courageously pursuing his dream of being on top of the world, since he was nine. As many of you know, Pieter had an insatiable wanderlust,” Hamed Umedaly wrote in a statement Thursday.
Swart died on Thursday while roughly 8,000 metres above sea level—an area commonly referred to as “the death zone” by mountaineers, since oxygen levels at this altitude are so low.
It's believed he was climbing with Madison Mountaineering, based on a post on the company's website.
Umedaly told CTV News Swart had been training for years to fulfil his life-long dream.
Swart had also scaled Denali, the highest peak in North America, and summited a mountain in South America.
Rael Klein had known Swart since they were in medical school in South Africa.
“We’re all devastated by the events that transpired. He was well aware of the risks, he never did anything in a haphazard fashion,” Klein said
He had been messaging Klein whenever he had cell service.
“He was always positive, the whole way. He did develop a dry cough and then at Camp IV, he developed some medical complications from a possible respiratory illness which led to the tragic event,” Klein said.
Swart is being remembered as a “loving family man,” “trusted friend” and positive force whose sense of humour was “second to none.”
Swart’s colleagues say he was a leader and strong educator who inspired many and was always a pleasure to work with.
“He was the fabric of our profession and made us all proud to be a colleague,” Umedaly wrote, adding that Swart has left a “strong legacy of contribution.”
He believes if the weather conditions were different, Swart would’ve survived.
“He absolutely would’ve achieved that goal and he would’ve come out back alive to his family and friends,” he said.
According to Vancouver Coastal Health, Swart worked at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital over the last 19 years.
In a statement, the health authority said he was a well-known and respected physician, who will be missed by colleagues across the health-care community.
“He was an exceptional anesthesiologist and perioperative physician and had a remarkable ability to connect with patients, trainees and staff while performing countless procedures over the years. He was a true leader in his profession, inspiring everyone who worked alongside him,” VCH wrote.
While a date has yet to be set, plans for a celebration of life are in the works.
According to reports by Nepalese media, this is the 12th death of the season on Mount Everest.
Correction
This story has been updated to correct the age of the deceased. He was 63.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.