A stunt on Mount Everest that was set to air on the Discovery Channel in May was canceled Sunday after an avalanche killed at least 13 people, all Sherpas.
"In light of the overwhelming tragedy at Mt. Everest and respect for the families of the fallen, Discovery Channel will not be going forward with Everest Jump Live. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Sherpa community," said network spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg.
Joby Ogwyn, wing-suit flier and BASE jumper, was planning for a wing suit flight off Everest's 29,000-foot summit on May 11, the Discovery website said. The channel was planning to air the feat live.
NBC News Peacock Productions had crews on the mountain preparing for the Discovery Channel program covering Ogwyn's jump. NBC News said in a statement Friday that their seven staffers on site were safe.
Ogwyn wrote in a statement Saturday that he lost his Sherpa team in the avalanche.
"These men were the salt of the earth. Far better men than me. My heart is broken," he said.
Some in the Sherpa community have suggested that the current Everest climbing season be put on hold because of the deaths.
DAVID MCNEW / Reuters file Wingsuit jumper Joby Ogwyn wears a prototype wingsuit and carries a deployed parachute from an airplane after taking a practice jump as he prepares to attempt the first wingsuit jump off the summit of Mount Everest in May near Perris, Calif., on Feb. 26. Ogwyn holds the world record holder for the fastest Everest climb at 9.5 hours.
— Elisha Fieldstadt
First published April 20 2014, 2:52 PM
Source : http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/discovery-channels-everest-special-canceled-after-deadly-avalanche-n85316
