Mont Dolent Tragedy Update July 26, 2008: Family Identified and More Information

The family members involved in the horrific climbing accident on Mont Dolent have been identified. All four family members were from Almere, in Northern Holland and include the father, Pieter Hendrik Germs (55), his son, Mark Pieter Germs (20), and two daughters-Else Germs (23) and Karin Germs (16). The mother, Ada de Jong (50), survived the incident after she had stopped to rest and the others climbed on.

From the Mail Online’s world news:

Mrs De Jong said: ‘I saw my husband fall, then all of my three children, one by one they all fell. I was watching 200metres away (600feet).’

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Four Dutch Family Members Killed On Mont Dolent, Part of Mont Blanc Massif, Fifth Family Member Witnesses Fall

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Mont Dolent

Tragedy has struck a family of Dutch climbers today, as four family members have fallen to their deaths and another, after witnessing the fall of her climbing partners, is hospitalized with severe shock.

The group of five climbers were attempting to climb Mont Dolent in the Mont Blanc massif. Mont Blanc is Europe’s highest peak.

Italian news agency ANSA is reporting that the deaths involved a Dutch father and his three kids, his wife was the only survivor, but did witness the terrible accident.

The Press Association is currently reporting the accident suggesting that the nationalities of those involved were not currently known. AGI News is reporting that this was a single family of Dutch origin.

Operations are currently underway to recover the bodies of the fallen climbers.

At this point in time it is not real clear what exactly happened. Here is a small piece from IOL News:

The climbers were linked together with ropes and when the group leader stumbled he dragged the others down with him,” Aosta rescue official, Viglione Delfino, told television news channel SKY TG24.

The mother had turned back and was on her descent when the accident took place. She was not injured from a fall, but is currently hospitalized after witnessing her family’s tragic accident.

AFP, reporting through Canada.com is reporting that the mother put out the distress signal after witnessing the fall. Italian rescue crews are currently in the area and in the midst of recovering the bodies.

This is definitely a very sad situation to befall a single family. Let’s keep this woman in our thoughts and prayers today.

Mount Blanc is Europe’s highest peak and is a popular climbing destination. Accidents do happen quite frequently on the 4,810 meter peak with many of these attributed to amateurs out for a joy climb. Mont Blanc straddles the France-Italy-Switzerland border.

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