48-year-old climber dies trying to reach Denali summit, Alaska officials report
A 48-year-old climber died Friday, June 3, after collapsing near the summit of Denali, parks officials in Alaska reported.
Fernando Birman of Stockton, New Jersey, collapsed at 19,700 feet on the 20,310-foot peak at 5:45 p.m local time, the National Parks Service said in a news release.
His guides tried to revive him but Birman was pronounced dead, rangers said. His cause of death has not been determined but is “consistent with sudden cardiac arrest.”
Guides assisted with the recovery of his body, the release said.
Birman was part of a 12-person guided team that began its Denali ascent May 22, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
Since 1932, 129 climbers have died at Denali National Park, according to the news outlet.