RE: lost another one - kjerag.

[imported_mknutson]

What experience did he have? Including BASE?
What was his delay?
What equipment?
What exactly happend?
--
Thanks

Mick Knutson
BLiNC Magazine

"Everything you ever wanted to know about BASE Jumping, but didn't know who to ask."
--

[guest]

Hi Mick,if you need the full SP talk to a guy called Alan Hewitt from sky science in the uk...he knew Terry very well and knew all the ins and outs..regards.

[guest]

Terry had done 4 jumps previously that week. He made a stable exit but rotated to his right, he seemed stiff in freefall. Without correcting his turn he started to track immediately, but as a result of his new heading he started going parallel with the cliff wall, towrds exit point 6. He must have realised that the situation wasn't good, as he stopped tracking and pulled after about 7-8 seconds and subsequently had a 180 degree off heading opening and hit the wall several times before coming to a rest on the first big ledge. He signalled to a helicopter that hovered nearby that he was OK (well alive) but his legs were broken. He proceeded to drape himself in his canopy to stay warm. The ledge is very big so there was little danger of falling off. At this point bad weather came in and foiled any attempts to hoist the Alpine rescue team to the top, and also prevented the second half of the jumpers from jumping.

A big rescue party was then organised to help carry al the alpine equipment to exit point 7. The conditions were not very good and this took several hours. Late that evening, now Terry had been on the ledge for more than 8 hours, rappellers reached the ledge and discovered that he wasn't there any more. A helicopter had seen him only a short while before.

two of the hikers jumped off as conditions were now better but it was dark. Under canopy they spotted something on the ground and after landing they hiked up to the spot and discovered Terry, dead, amongst the scree slope.

I am not certain whether Terry attempted to use his reserve or main to get off the cliff and do not know who could confirm that.

Most of the Swedish Heli boogie attendees had spoken to him the day before as we arrived early and Terry was the first to admit to his lack of experience but did not give any indication of "being out his depth".

One thing is for sure, proper BASE equipment (Terry was jumping skydiving gear) and he would not have removed himself from the ledge. Ironic in retrospect.

Some of my details might not be totally correct and I apologise for that, bu t I was there and things were sketchy enough. Norwegian TV made a surprisingly good non daredevil type of report covering all sides of the BASE issue.