Climber describes how he narrowly survived 400-foot fall that killed 3 others
A Washington rock climber survived a devastating fall that claimed the lives of his three companions, authorities reported. Anton Tselykh, 38, recounted the harrowing experience from his Seattle hospital bed, confirming investigators' suspicions about the cause of the tragedy.
The group was rappelling down the Early Winters Spires in the North Cascade Range when a crucial anchor, known as a piton, failed.
One climber was actively rappelling off the metal spike, driven into the rock face, when it gave way. The other three climbers, including Tselykh, were tethered to the same anchor, awaiting their descent. The piton's failure sent all four plummeting an estimated 400 feet.
Tselykh lay unconscious for hours following the fall. Upon regaining consciousness in the darkness, he managed to hike out and drive to a pay phone to call for help. This account, relayed by Tselykh to Snohomish County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue coordinator Cristina Woodworth, corroborates the investigators' initial assessment of the accident.
Tselykh lost consciousness after the fall for several hours before awaking in the dark in a tangle of ropes and gear. Woodsworth said he had internal bleeding and head trauma.
It took Tselykh eight hours to disentangle himself, work his way down the rough terrain of rock and snow — with help from a pick-like ice tool — to his car, drive to a nearby town and call for help, Woodworth said.
The four climbers were friends, some of whom had climbed together before and appeared fairly experienced, Woodworth said, adding that Tselykh was 'obviously very much affected by this.'
The climbers who were killed were Vishnu Irigireddy, 48; Tim Nguyen, 63; and Oleksander Martynenko, 36, the Okanogan County coroner said.
Olga Martynenko, Martynenko's wife, said Tuesday in a Facebook post that her husband, whom she referred to as Alex, also left behind their son. She shared a link to a fundraiser to help 'during the most devastating time of our lives.'
'I still cannot believe that you are gone, my love,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
27 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Jockey Michael O'Sullivan (24) died of a severe traumatic brain injury, inquest hears
Cheltenham festival-winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan died of a severe traumatic brain injury, complicated by brain swelling with cerebral infarction, due to a horse riding accident, his inquest has heard. Cork Coroner's Court heard brief evidence on Thursday morning from Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, as to the cause of the death of the 24-year-old on February 16th last. Advertisement Dr Bolster carried out a postmortem on Mr O'Sullivan at Cork City Mortuary a day after his death. Mr O'Sullivan of Currabower, Lombardstown, Co Cork, died at Cork University Hospital after what his family previously described as a 'trojan battle' to recover from his injuries. Michael was airlifted to hospital on February 6th last following a serious last fence fall in Thurles, Co Tipperary. He was just days short of his 25th birthday when he passed away 10 days later. Sgt Aisling Murphy requested an adjournment of the inquest in to the death of the champion jockey to facilitate 'preparatory work.' Advertisement Cork City Coroner Philip Comyn said the inquest was being opened for the purpose of hearing medical evidence on the cause of death so that a death certificate could be issued to the family of the deceased. Inspector Justin Walsh from the Health and Safety Authority was present at the hearing. He confirmed that their investigation in to the death is yet to be completed. Solicitor Denis Linehan, who represents the O'Sullivan family, was also in attendance at the inquest. He will be on the record for the family going forward. A full hearing of the case will take place at a later date. Michael is survived by his parents William and Bernie, his brother Alan, his partner Charlotte, his grandmother Mary, uncles and aunts, his weigh room colleagues and the wider racing community and extended family and friends. Advertisement Michael shot to public attention two years ago when he won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham aboard Marine Nationale before going on to win the Fred Winter with Jazzy Matty. Huge crowds attended his funeral at St John the Baptist Church in Glantane, Co Cork, on February 19th. His father William told mourners. that Michael would want his loved ones to find joy in life in spite of his passing. Ireland Construction of Leinster House bike shed was halte... Read More He said that Michael had his heart set on beimg a jockey from an early age. He noted that even though Michael had managed to receive a honours degree in Agricultural Science they had it on 'good authority' that he read the Racing Post during lectures in UCD. Advertisement Meanwhile, Michael's brother Alan and his cousins David O'Sullivan and Sonny McCartan recently took part in the Cork City Marathon to raise funds for Brú Columbanus, a charity that offers free accommodation to families of seriously ill patients in Cork hospitals. They decided to raise funds for the site in Wilton in Cork as it was a 'safe haven' for the O'Sullivan family when Michael was in intensive care. Over €94,000 has been raised for the charity arising out of the fundraising appeal. Donations can still be made online.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Girl died after 'mini tornado' hit trampoline, coroner rules
A three-year-old girl died when the trampoline she was bouncing on was lifted by a "mini tornado", an inquest has Keepin was at home with her mother and brother in Longney, Gloucestershire on 10 May when a neighbour described seeing a "mini tornado", about seven or eight metres wind took the trampoline over the hedge and into a neighbouring field, throwing Felicity off a considerable distance away. She was airlifted to Bristol Children's Hospital but died from her injuries on 17 a verdict of accidental death, Roland Wooderson, assistant Gloucestershire coroner, warned the public of the danger associated with trampolines. Felicity was at home with her mother and brother when the "freak gust", as described by Mr Wooderson, came were read out from different witnesses at the inquest at Gloucestershire Coroners' Court on Thursday, including from Adam Nash, a neighbour."I was cutting the grass hedge when I heard a noise which sounded like a freight train," he said."I saw a mini tornado crossing the road, about seven-eight metres in width, which left a mark in the hedge." The 12ft (3.6m) trampoline had been bought a week before the incident and, although it had a net, it was not anchored Mr Wooderson said weighing down the trampoline may not have made much difference and, although the importance of weighing down trampolines is in manufacturers' instructions, not many people are aware of added: "What happened was every parent's worst nightmare. "Completely out of the blue a freak gust of wind took the trampoline high into the air and over the hedge. And I don't use that expression 'freak gust' lightly."Felicity was under the careful supervision of her mother, but this was an extraordinary, tragic and unforeseen accident. "The public really do need to know the danger associated with these trampolines."
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Adored dad, 64, slipped & fell to his death from cliff while trying to save his dog on holiday in UK seaside resort
A DAD was killed as he tried to save his pet dog which had fallen over a steep cliff into the sea, an inquest heard. Gary Conlon, 64, was on holiday with his family in Cornwall when the tragic accident happened at Porth Joke beach at Crantock last October. An inquest at Cornwall coroner's court heard Gary had gone out with his dog called Monty for a morning walk while the rest of the family got ready to go to Padstow for breakfast. But the coroner heard that witness Daniel Beesley saw a man on the headland coastal path waving his arms saying that his dog had gone off the cliff into the water. In his statement Mr Beesley said he could see Monty swimming in the water and was "fine" but Gary took off his walking boots and socks as he edged along the loose shale. Mr Beesley said: "I shouted to him two or three times that it was too dangerous and that he would slip but he ignored me." He said Gary, who ran his own electrical business, squatted down to look over the cliff and started to climb down. He had gone around 4ft when he slipped and fell - landing on a flat rock before hitting the water. Mr Beesley said Gary panicked, waving his arms, and tried to scramble to the rocks but was battered about by the strong waves and was swept into a cave. Pathologist Dr Tim Bracey said Gary, of Eccleshall, Staffordshire, died from cold water immersion and a chest wall injury, and he also had heart disease. His family had heard emergency services and a helicopter near to where they had their holiday apartment. They discovered that it was Gary who had been recovered from the sea but efforts to save him failed. Monty was rescued from the sea and taken to a vet's for treatment. Gary's wife of 43 years, Katrina said he was very fit for his age and had a "zest for life, had a wicked sense of humour and was the life and soul of the party". The couple had been on holiday with their daughter, her partner and their new born baby daughter and regularly visited Cornwall. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and said Gary's boots and the dog lead were found at the top of the headland path. Officer said Gary had tried to 'slide down' the cliff when he fell - and that Monty was rescued alive from the sea. The assistant coroner for Cornwall Emma Hillson recorded a misadventure conclusion. 1
