A British trekker from Cornwall has died in a severe snowstorm that struck a group of hikers in Chile's famed Patagonia region.
Desperate Rescue Attempt in the Storm
Victoria Bond, 40, was one of five people who lost their lives last Tuesday in the Torres del Paine National Park. The group of approximately 30 hikers, which included Ms Bond and four other British friends, was caught in ferocious winds exceeding 120mph while attempting the challenging O Circuit trail.
Christian Aldridge, a friend and fellow survivor, has spoken of the desperate efforts to save her. He recounted how Ms Bond was carried down from the mountain on a makeshift stretcher constructed by the group. Despite the valiant efforts of medics who attended to her upon rescue, she could not be saved.
A Community in Mourning
Mr Aldridge expressed his profound grief, shock, and a sense of guilt over the tragic loss of his friend. Another friend, Adam Walker, paid tribute to Ms Bond, remembering her as a uniquely kind and passionate individual whose death has left a void.
The Patagonia snowstorm claimed the lives of five international trekkers in total. The victims included two German and two Mexican citizens, alongside the British national. Victoria Bond's official cause of death was confirmed as a hypothermic cardiac arrest, a direct consequence of the extreme weather conditions.
