Authorities identify climber killed in 300-foot fall on Mount Hood
(Update: Officials identify climber)
GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Authorities on Monday identified a climber from Portland who was killed in a 300-foot fall on Mount Hood on Sunday morning when he apparently lost his footing.
Around 9:45 a.m. Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue coordinators responded to a report of a climber who had fallen on the 11,240-foot peak, the sheriff's office said.
Witnesses called 911 and reported seeing a climber fall an estimated 300 feet near Devil’s Kitchen.
Sheriff’s Office SAR coordinators requested assistance from Portland Mountain Rescue and American Medical Response’s Reach and Treat Team.
Upon reaching the climber, rescuers found the individual was deceased and began recovery operations.
The sheriff's office said Monday that with family notifications complete, they can identify the climber as Thomas Nathan Hostetler, 30, of Portland.
According to witnesses, Hostetler was climbing Mt. Hood on Sunday near the Devil’s Kitchen area when he appeared to lose his footing and fell. Other climbers in the area were able to reach him and attempted life-saving measures, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
A recovery mission was conducted, and Hostetler was transported to Timberline Lodge. The Clackamas County Medical Examiner responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
