"Obvious arm injury" saddled Kelly James, authorities say

OregonLive.com ^ | 12/18/06 | staff

[randita]

Monday, December 18, 2006

"Obvious arm injury" saddled Kelly James, authorities say

Authorities say that Kelly James -- the missing Texas hiker whose body was found in a snow cave on Mount Hood -- had an "obvious arm injury" that may have hindered him from descending the mountain.

Recovery specialists brought Kelly's body down from the mountain this afternoon.

They said tattoos, jewelry and other markings on his body made it clear to officials that it was James' body.

"He had an obvious arm injury," said Hood River County Sheriff Joe Wampler.

One of the searchers said James was found in a "fetal position" inside the cave. He was fully clothed when he was found.

So far, rescuers have not discovered any signs of the other missing hikers -- Jerry "Nikko" Cooke and Brian Hall. They have been missing for nine days.

All searchers have cleared off the mountain and the search likely will resume on Tuesday.

[randita]

FYI

[randita]

More information here:

http://www.katu.com/news/4946497.html

[madison10]

Strange names of persons dying in the snow: Kelly James and James Kim.

Hope the others are found soon.

[duck duck goose]

Makes me sad to watch the local news. I live in Fort worth, and there isn't anything in the world like a community that comes together to pray for their safe return. I pray for them and their loved ones.

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[NittanyLion]

An "obvious arm fracture" must've been pretty bad. I wonder if it was a compound fracture? That would certainly explain his fellow climbers' decision to attempt a descent in a blinding snowstorm.

[randita]

An "obvious arm fracture" must've been pretty bad. I wonder if it was a compound fracture? That would certainly explain his fellow climbers' decision to attempt a descent in a blinding snowstorm.

Explains a lot. Like why ice axes were left in another cave (useless to a man with a broken arm). And why he appeared to be confused in the phone call to his family (shock). And why they didn't all just dig in and wait out the weather rather than splitting up. It must have been the assessment that unless James got IMMEDIATE medical attention, he would not make it. That must have been an extremely tough and angonizing call - if that's indeed what transpired.

[Global2010]

Glad to see a new thread update going as the last one melted down after the redundant name calling snow ball fight.

Local news here is calling for another bad storm 74mph winds by Thursday.

Gosh the weather was perfect today and I was earnestly hoping/praying the other two men would be found safe or show up at the Lodge.

The families could have used the JOY in light of the grieving.

---

I wonder if Mountain climbing was a spectator sport (not suggesting it though) like Bull riding or car racing that those so adamant against money (public) spent on rescue efforts would perhaps be more supportive?

Being crowd watching sports which can cause rescue related and high health care costs to the participants.

Again not suggesting mountain climbers be equipped with web cam for spectators.
I am guessing part of the beauty and enjoyment of climbing is the solitude.

[luckystarmom]

I live in California. When I heard the Kelly James, it was the same name as someone that I went to high school with. I didn't think anything about it because I to high school in Texas in the 70s. Well, come to find out the climber was the guy I went to high school.

I didn't know him well. I knew who he was and remembered that I thought he was cute.

Very sad.