Rescued Hikers Released From Hospital, Identified
Posted: 9:56 am PDT June 11, 2008Updated: 6:22 pm PDT June 11, 2008
SEATTLE -- Two hikers rescued on Mount Rainier after being trapped during blizzard conditions were released from Harborview Medical Center Wednesday afternoon after being treated for hypothermia and frostbite, reported KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.The hiker who died on the mountain has been identified as Eduard Burceag, of Bellevue , said Kevin Bacher at Mount Rainier National Park.The survivors are Burceag's wife, Mariana Burceag, and a friend, Daniel Vlad, all in their 30s and from Bellevue.The three became trapped on the Muir Snowfield by a sudden blizzard while descending from a day hike to Camp Muir Monday afternoon, said Bacher.Early Tuesday morning a 911 emergency call came through to park rangers advising them of overdue hikers on the Muir snowfield. Due to heavy, drifting snow, 70 mph winds, and near zero visibility, a rescue team was unable to safely initiate a search at that time, said Bacher.By 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, Vlad was able to reach Camp Muir and led rescuers to the other members in the party, said Bacher.All three of the stranded hikers were under shelter by 8:30 a.m. Three doctors, who were at Camp Muir as clients of one of the parks guide services, provided immediate medical care, said Bacher.Mr. Burceag was unconscious and unresponsive upon arrival and rescuers were unable to revive him.A Chinook helicopter from the Fort Lewis Army base transported the survivors to Madigan Hospital at Fort Lewis for initial treatment before they were moved to the Seattle trauma center by ambulance.Eduard Burceag’s body remains at Camp Muir where it will be transported off the mountain by helicopter or sled.The three individuals are experienced mountaineers who had visited Camp Muir in the past and have enjoyed hiking and climbing on Mount Rainier for many years, said Bacher. Two had previously reached the summit.
Copyright 2008 by KIROTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
















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