Thunderstorm likely killed climber
JACKSON HOLE, WYO – A Colorado man plunged to his death Friday in Garnet Canyon while searching for shelter from a severe thunderstorm. Edward Tom, 40, of Boulder, Colorado was pronounced dead at the scene from trauma associated with a 100-foot fall.
Tom was to spend the night with a climbing partner Friday in an area known as the Petzold Caves before climbing the Grand on Saturday. Tom was scouting a campsite location Friday shortly after heavy rainfall and hail. He fell from a cliff band.
Dispatch received several 911 calls from area witnesses around 6 p.m. Friday. Two physicians were among bystanders who quickly rappelled to Tom and began emergency medical care. Rangers flew to the scene and arrived just after 7 p.m. CPR efforts were unsuccessful.
Tom’s body was left until the next morning when rangers had better light and weather. His body was turned over to the county coroner at 11:40 a.m.
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