An Aussie climber died on Mount Everest on Sunday, in the 10th fatality on the the world's highest peak.
Jason Bernard Kennison (40) has died after becoming unwell on last Friday.
He became "unresponsive" at the summit and was brought down to the Balcony area below the peak.
“Since the oxygen cylinders that they had with them were running out, they decided to descend to Camp 4 hoping to climb back again with oxygen cylinders to rescue him."
“It was high wind and bad weather that prevented them (from) going back to bring him down. He died at the Balcony area.”
After suffering an almost fatal car crash in 2006, Jason had to learn to walk again. He endured a long recovery, and battled depression before regaining some function in his arms and legs.
He suffered further spinal nerve damage years later, but was committed to completing the climb to raise money for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia.
His death has become the sixth among non-Nepalis, four Sherpas losing their lives this year.
An average claims 5 deaths every spring climbing the mountain. In 2019, 11 lost their lives, four were blamed on overcrowding.
Jason had spent years learning walk again after being left with multiple injuries, especially to his spinal chord, thanks to a car accident.
Almost 450 climbers have climbed the mountain this season. Nepal's tourism department issued 478 permits to foreign climbers this year, each paying an $11,000 fee.
Over 900 are expected to try to summit this season, ending in early June.
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