Oregon Man Dies In Fall On Mount Jefferson

By Conrad Wilson (OPB)
Nov. 30, 2015 7:02 p.m.
Numerous law enforcement agencies have responded including the U.S. Coast Guard and the Oregon National Guard.

Numerous law enforcement agencies have responded including the U.S. Coast Guard and the Oregon National Guard.

Jeff Kubina / Flickr

An Oregon man has died while climbing Mount Jefferson, but rescue officials were able to safely reach his wife Monday before calling off efforts to recover his body due to severe weather.

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Thirty-two year old Thomas Fountain died after searchers believe he fell into a crevasse Sunday.

Rescuers said they’ve reached his wife, Alison, who is in good condition and was able to communicate with rescuers via text messages. Alison has since been reunited with her family.

According to the Associated Press, rescue crews plan to reassess whether the body of Thomas Fountain can be safely recovered on Tuesday.

Officials also said they are not sure exactly how Thomas Fountain died.

"I know that they're experienced climbers, they do this often and unfortunately they just had a tragic fall," said Lt. Chris Baldridge, with the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Baldridge said 15 climbers were on the scene Monday. Numerous law enforcement agencies responded including the U.S. Coast Guard and the Oregon National Guard.
 
Baldridge said an investigation into the incident is underway.

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