Rescuers say fallen Mt. Jefferson climber has died

Rescuers flown to two climbers on Mt. Jefferson Monday morning learned that one had died after falling into a crevasse, but his wife was in good condition.

Marion County sheriff’s deputies said mountain rescue crews and a Coast Guard helicopter from Astoria were working to bring both Thommy Fountain and his wife, Alison, down from the 10,495-foot peak they were ascending at the time of the fall on Sunday.

Linn and Marion county sheriff’s offices had been coordinating the rescue effort for the 32-yeare-old man and his 29-year-old wife. who deputies said are Oregonians but whose hometowns were not immediately available.

Deputies said Alison Fountain was able to communicate with searchers Sunday night by text message. As a result, searchers knew their location, in what’s described as difficult terrain.

A Coast Guard helicopter was flown in from Astoria and carried rescuers to the peak.

Five Corvallis Mountain Rescue Team members were flown to a spot about 2,000 feet below the injured climber, deputies said Monday. Rescuers reported reaching the 7,500-foot elevation before daybreak but were making slower progress than expected due to difficult terrain Ten more climbers were being flown in to assist rescue efforts.

Searchers with the the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Corvallis and Eugene mountain rescue units, and Marion County Search and Rescue and Jeep Patrol were involved in the effort..

Deputies at the rescue operation command post in Detroit said the climbers’ car was found earlier at a trailhead in Marion County.