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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.