Man dies while climbing Washington state peak

SEATTLE – The National Park Service says a 60-year-old man died after falling while climbing a mountain peak in northwest Washington state.

The Seattle Times reports the Skagit County Coroner’s Office identified the man as Eric Lindblom of Cashmere.

The park service says Lindblom was free climbing Forbidden Peak in the North Cascades with a group Sunday, and he fell about 100 feet (30 metres).

The park service says Lindblom initially survived the fall, but “succumbed to the injuries” while rescuers were on the way.

A personal-locator beacon alerted the International Emergency Response Coordination Center, resulting in a park service helicopter being dispatched to the climbers.

The park service says harsh weather conditions, including rain, wind and lightning, made the rescue operation difficult.

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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com