Air France pilot falls off cliff to his demise whereas mountain climbing California’s towering Mount Whitney

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — A pilot from France who disappeared whereas mountain climbing California’s towering Mount Whitney was discovered useless after falling about 1,000 toes (305 meters) off a cliff, the Nationwide Park Service mentioned Friday.

The hiker was recognized as Tom Gerbier of Fontenay-sous-Bois, France, who was a pilot for Air France, the park service mentioned in an announcement. He was 38, in keeping with a lacking poster issued by the Inyo County Sheriff’s Workplace, which was a part of the search.

The tallest mountain within the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney rises 14,494 toes (4,418 meters) on the jap border of Sequoia Nationwide Park and is a troublesome however widespread hike.

Gerbier began out at Whitney Portal close to the city of Lone Pine early Tuesday and was reported lacking when he didn’t present up for his return flight Wednesday, the park service mentioned.

The park service and native authorities despatched floor groups to the realm Thursday.

The searchers noticed clues that somebody might have fallen off a cliff in an space referred to as “The Notch,” and a helicopter crew directed there noticed a immobile individual in clothes matching Gerbier’s description.

The physique was recovered by helicopter that night, and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Workplace confirmed Gerbier’s identification.

Air France mentioned in an announcement that Gerbier had been on a stopover in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

“The corporate provides its most honest condolences to his household and family members,” the airline mentioned.