Tragically, an unidentified British hiker, 51, succumbed and died from an apparent heart attack after reaching the summit of Cradle Mountain on March 19 in Tasmania. The man was walking with a companion at the time.
Unfortunately, bad weather prevented first responders from evacuating the man from the 1545 -meter mountain (5,068 feet) by helicopter. Consequently, the recovery team had to hike to the to the summit and retrieve the decedent by hand.
COMMENT: The man was given CPR by an off-duty paramedic who was also walking on the mountain at the time, which is a popular tourist destination in the state's northwest. The man's companion, also from the UK, returned to the base safely and presumably will assist in repatriating the man's remains back to the Britain.
The park service responsible for Cradle Mountain reminds hikers that they should be in reasonably good physical condition to undertake the mountain, as it not a mere walking mountain, but one that requires agility and endurance over rigorous terrain to reach the summit.
As I have said previously in numerous postings where middle-aged to senior hikers have died while engaging in strenuous endeavors, it is essential that all travelers over the age of 50 have a thorough physical examination before engaging in such pursuits abroad.
Clearly, dying unexpectedly in a far off country away from close family and friends is never pleasant, which is why I continue to advocate that everyone have a thorough physical exam before departure.
