Who was Tom Gerbier? Missing pilot falls to death off a 1000 feet cliff while hiking Mount Whitney in California
MOUNT WHITNEY, CALIFORNIA: Tom Gerbier, a pilot who was reported missing while hiking California's Mount Whitney, was discovered dead after he fell nearly 1,000 feet off a cliff.
On Friday, October 20, the National Park Service confirmed the hiker of Fontenay-sous-Bois, France was an Air France pilot.
How did authorities recover Tom Gerbier's body?
As part of the search, the Inyo County Sheriff's Office issued a missing poster for the 38-year-old man.
Gerbier embarked on a challenging hike on the mountain that rises 14,494 feet on the eastern border of Sequoia National Park on Tuesday, October 17.
He set out at Whitney Portal located near Lone Pine town and his disappearance was reported after he did not show up on Wednesday, October 18, for his return flight, stated the park service.
"Inyo County Sheriff’s Office took the lead on this search and rescue operation with flyovers of Mt Whitney on Wednesday, the day Mr Gerbier was reported missing, with no result," read the statement issued by Sequoia and King Canyons National Park.
On Thursday, October 19, local authorities and park service crew sent ground teams to the place.
Clues from the search hinted at the possibility that someone may have fallen off a cliff in the area called "The Notch."
Subsequently, a helicopter was dispatched to the area where they spotted a motionless person dressed in attire that matched Gerbier's description.
Gerbier's identity was confirmed by the Tulare County Sheriff's Office after his body was recovered by helicopter, according to the New York Post.
Gerbier's body was located through the collaboration and assistance of the climbing community and officers from Tulare County Sheriff's Office, Inyo County Sheriff's Office and Inyo Search and Rescue Team.
Air France offered condolences to Tom Gerbier's family
In a statement by Air France following Gerbier's death, they stated that the pilot had been on a stopover in Los Angeles, California.
"The company offers its most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones," read the airline's statement.
Tom Gerbier's death is second fatality in the national park this year
According to the park service, Gerbier's death marks the second fatality at Sequioa and Kings Canyon National Parks this year.
The park service's website states that Mount Whitney is "the most frequently climbed mountain peak in the Sierra Nevada."
The Mount Whitney Trail is said to challenge "even very fit hikers". From July to late September, the route is snow-free, and when it is snowy, hikers are required to have "winter mountaineering skills and equipment” for safe hiking.
