A survivor of the blizzard that killed British woman Victoria Bond and four others in Chilean Patagonia has said trekkers were told by staff that adverse weather was “normal” and they could proceed. Tom Player, a London-based composer, told the Guardian that the group showed a weather forecast to camp staff before setting out, but were assured conditions were acceptable.
Player described the storm as “absolutely brutal”, with winds reaching up to 120mph and heavy snow. He said there were no park rangers on duty on the day of the tragedy due to mandatory voting in Chile’s presidential election, and criticised authorities for allowing the park to remain open. “There is absolutely no way anyone should have been allowed,” he said.
The nine hikers went missing on Monday in the Torres del Paine reserve. Four were rescued, but Bond, 40, from Truro, died along with two Mexican and two German nationals. Player, who was part of the trekking group, helped in rescue efforts, fashioning a stretcher from hiking poles and tape. He said four of the five victims were on the trail, contradicting claims that they became lost.
Bond was a PR manager for Visit Isles of Scilly, described by colleagues as “lovable, witty and creative”. Player added that the rescue effort showed “faith in humanity”, but lamented turning back without finding his friend. “I had no idea how many people had succumbed to this brutal cold,” he said.
