Aussie climber killed after summiting Mt Everest remembered as 'beloved son and brother' who will 'be forever missed' - 9News

The "heartbroken" family of car crash survivor Jason Kennison, who died after summiting Mt Everest, have remembered the 40-year-old as a "beloved son and brother" and an "achiever of goals".

The Australian climber, who after surviving a car crash was told he might never walk again, died on Friday after summiting the world's tallest mountain, according to an expedition organiser and local media reports.

In a statement released this afternoon, his family said Kennison will be "forever missed".

Jason Kennison (left) has been remembered as a "beloved son and brother". (Supplied)

"Jason was one to live a full life. He would put his mind to something, set a goal and achieve it," the statement said.

"Whether that be playing footy as a kid, winning motorcross races, working around the world in the mining industry and in high risk environments.

"He did all the training he could in preparation to achieving his new goal: climbing to the top of Everest.

"He trained anywhere he could including the mountains of New Zealand."

Kennison "wanted to raise awareness and money for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia", hoping to help others who "had similar struggles to himself".

"We are so proud of his achievements and we take great solace in knowing he made it to the summit. The highest place on this earth," the statement continued.

"We would like to send our greatest love and thanks to Nepal where he had Sherpas go above and beyond to help try to bring him home.

"We are worlds apart but united through our love for Jason.

"He was the beloved son of Jock and Gill, and brother to five siblings.

"His family are heartbroken and he will be forever missed.

"We ask for our privacy at this heartbreaking time."

Australian climber Jason Kennison died at the Balcony area above 8000m on Mt Everest. (Supplied)

His death marks the 10th on the world's tallest peak this season, after the mining engineer encountered difficulties on Friday while above 8000 metres on Everest, known among climbers as the death zone.

The Himalayan Times reported Kennison had struggled after he had successfully reached Everest's 8849m peak, and he was helped by members of his expedition to an area known as the Balcony, around 450 metres lower than the summit.

Two Sherpa guides had noticed Kennison was behaving abnormally, the Times said.

"They ran out of oxygen and bringing supplement bottles from Camp IV couldn't be possible due to excessive winds," Dawa Steven Sherpa, managing director at Asian Trekking, said.

The Balcony is a small platform, situated around 8400m, where climbers can rest and soak up views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks.

Kennison spoke with Today only two months ago, revealing how he had suffered multiple broken bones and a spinal cord injury after a road accident in 2006 and spent years in recovery, having to learn how to walk again.

Doctors told Kennison he might be stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Kennison said he spent "three days crying in hospital wondering what his future was going to look like".

Doctors told Kennison he might be stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. (Supplied)

Discussing his looming Everest climb, Kennison said he was still overcoming his fear of heights and had been using different training techniques to combat vertigo.

"Staying focused (and) believing in myself," were the key mantras he was taking to Nepal, he said, where he was climbing to raise funds for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia to help others in similar situations.

The charity has paid tribute to Kennison after news of his death emerged. 

"On behalf of everyone at Spinal Cord Injuries Australia we want to share our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Jason," a statement this afternoon read.

"We were beyond shocked to hear the news of his passing whilst undertaking such an incredibly inspiring feat.

"He was a shining example of overcoming the odds and Jason showcased incredible tenacity and determination in everything he set his mind to.

"Jason was an amazing man and we are so honoured that he chose to support our organisation.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this time."

Before he left for Everest, Kennison described the adventure as "an ambitious feat that I would never have dreamed of, or thought was possible after once being told that I would not be able to walk".

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told 9news.com.au it is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who has died in Nepal.

"We offer our deepest condolences to their family and friends," a spokesperson said, adding DFAT cannot comment further at this time.

World's top 10 deadliest mountains

Returning from the summit is always a dangerous part of any climb.

Climbers refer to altitudes above 8000m as "the death zone" because, at these heights, oxygen levels are insufficient to sustain human life for an extended period.

Climbing in the death zone severely affects the lungs and brain.

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2023-05-22 06:12:40Z
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