Survivor Details Harrowing Conditions as Search Continues After Deadly Chilean Blizzard
TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK, CHILE – A survivor of a severe blizzard in Chile‘s Torres del Paine National Park has recounted brutal conditions and questioned preparedness following the death of a British hiker, Rebecca Bond. The hiker, a PR manager for the Visit Isles of Scilly tourism organisation, died after a group of trekkers became caught in unexpectedly intense weather on February 16th.
The survivor,who has not been named,described the storm as “absolutely brutal”,wiht cold temperatures,downpours,sleet and snow. He stated they had received a forecast warning of gusts exceeding 100km/h (60mph) and sustained high winds, but “I don’t think any of us expected blizzard-like conditions.” He added, “It got progressively worse throughout the day… I wasn’t prepared for mountaineering conditions.”
The group began their hike around 5:30 am, encountering heavy rain and strong winds that repeatedly knocked them over. The survivor noted a “general unpreparedness and lack of emergency planning,” detailing how the group constructed a makeshift stretcher using hiking poles, gaffer tape, a tent cord, and a sleeping mat.
During the search for Bond, the survivor encountered othre distressed hikers. He found Cristina Calvillo Tovar,who was hypothermic,and provided her with gloves and a coat. he later discovered Julian Garcia Pimentel, who was deceased. He also located another hiker, a German woman, who was deeply hypothermic and whom he attempted to assist by wrapping her in his sleeping bag and offering hot water.
Despite the efforts of a mountain rescue team, Bond was pronounced dead after resuscitation attempts failed. “I went up there looking for my friend and I didn’t find her, it is very hard to live with that,” the survivor said. “I had no idea how many people had succumbed to this brutal cold.”
The survivor refuted claims that the hikers were lost, stating, “We have GPS data to back it all up.” He also highlighted the dedication of those involved in the rescue, noting the group included a head of ER, junior doctors, a helicopter paramedic, and a psychologist. “The rescue effort was one of those moments when you realize you have so much faith in humanity and people.”
Colleagues of Bond described her as a “lovable, witty and creative” person who brought “life, energy, and an infectious enthusiasm” to her work, according to Adrian Jones and Euan Rodger.
Mauricio Ruiz,regional director of Conaf,Chile’s national forestry corporation,explained to local news media that no park rangers were on duty the night of the incident due to mandatory voting in Chile’s presidential election.
