“Based on expert advice we have decided to call off the search rather than risk endangering anyone’s life in the treacherous conditions.”
The search for Seamus Lawless has been called off, as reported by RTÉ.
Mr Lawless has been missing since falling on Mount Everest last week. The 39-year-old from Wicklow fell while descending from the summit.
In a statement, his family said that after receiving expert advice, they decided to call off the search due to the treacherous conditions.
“The GoFundMe campaign was instrumental in helping us fund an experienced search team for Shay. Unfortunately it was not successful.
“While the experienced search team has made every effort to locate Shay, the extremes of operating at high altitude and the sheer range of the search area ultimately proved too difficult and based on expert advice we have decided to call off the search rather than risk endangering anyone’s life in the treacherous conditions.”
Search efforts to find Mr. Lawless had been hindered by poor weather in the area.
Meanwhile, a second Irish climber has died while descending Mount Everest in the early hours of this morning.
According to expedition organisers, Kevin Hynes died while attempting to climb the mountain from the Tibetan side early on Friday morning.
It’s understood that the 56-year-old father of two is originally from Galway.
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