Daniel Paterson: Partner of Briton missing in Mt Everest ‘death zone’ pleads for help in search

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The family of a British fitness instructor who went missing on Mount Everest when part of the route collapsed beneath him have issued an urgent appeal to help them launch a search and rescue mission.

Daniel Paterson, 40, went missing in the ‘death zone’ of the world’s highest peak shortly after reaching the 8,849m summit on Tuesday morning.

Mr Paterson was part of a fee-paying 15-strong team with climbing company 8K Expeditions, which is now frantically searching for other missing climbers in temperatures that can drop to -36C.

Describing him as a ‘beloved son, brother, partner, friend and proud co-owner of Wakefield Crossfit’ who is ‘known for his adventurous spirit, kindness and unwavering dedication to helping others’, Paterson’s partner Becks Woodhead is urgent. seeking help to fund a rescue effort.

“Time is of the essence in a situation like this and we are mobilizing all the resources we can to locate Dan. We hope to launch a search mission with the assistance of a rescue team specializing in search operations in extreme environments,” Ms Woodhead said.

“Running a search and rescue operation on Everest is an incredibly complex and expensive endeavor. We are not experts in this and there is no guarantee of success.”

They have so far received more than two-thirds of their target of £150,000, the amount recommended by crisis response team Global Rescue.

Lakpa Sherpa, who led the expedition Mr Paterson took part in, said: “We regret to inform you that there was a cornice collapse at Hillary Step yesterday.

“Two of our brave team members, Mr. Paterson and Mr. Sherpa, are missing. Witnesses reported that the incident took place between Summit Ridge and South Summit, and some climbers were taken in front of Kangshung.

“Our dedicated search and rescue teams are deployed on the ground. They are working tirelessly to find our missing climbers.”

Nepal’s Department of Tourism said six mountain guides had been asked to join the search after Mr Paterson and his guide slipped and disappeared down the mountainside.

It said: “Mr Paterson and accompanying Nepali mountain guide Mr Sherpa reached the summit of Everest at 4.40am on 21 May.

“The climber and his guide were reported to have slipped and disappeared near the south peak near the Kangsung Face on May 21 at 7am while returning from the summit of Everest.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all involved in the search and rescue of those whose condition is currently unknown and who are missing in the crash.”

Britain’s Foreign Office said The Independent“We are supporting the family of a British man who is reported missing in Nepal and are liaising with the local authorities.”

It comes after two Mongolian climbers Usukhjargal Tsedendamba and Prevsuren Lkhagvajav died above 8,500m while descending from the summit on 13 May.

Since the first conquest of Mount Everest in 1953, the peak has been climbed thousands of times and is getting busier every year.

During the 2023 spring climbing season, 667 climbers scaled the peak, bringing thousands of support staff to base camp between March and May.

Those who wish to donate to the campaign can do that here.