Aussies Killed In Nepal Avalanche

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday March 27, 2001

Three Australian hikers presumed dead after being caught in a Himalayan avalanche were from the same family, the Defence Department said yesterday.

Squadron Leader Peter Szypula, his partner Flight Sergeant Michelle Hackett, and her daughter Kathleen Hackett, aged about 9, were all caught in the avalanche on Saturday.

The department said the three were members of a support trek accompanying the Australian Army Alpine Association's expedition.

It said the three were walking ahead of the main group when struck by the avalanche.

Also missing was an Israeli trekker, 22-year-old Hevil Noam, the Associated Press reported.

At least one other Israeli survived.

Searchers on foot and in helicopters had so far found no trace of the four, but another search was to go ahead late yesterday.

When asked whether there was any hope they could still be alive, Army Alpine Association president Lieutenant Colonel Brian Agnew, said: ``The information I've received to date is that that's not the case".

The three Australians were accompanying the association's Tenix Everest Expedition on an acclimatisation trek in preparation for a 12-member climbing team's bid to scale Mt Everest.

Lt Col Agnew said the Australian couple were experienced trekkers and outdoor adventurers.

The avalanche occurred about three days' trek from Pokhara, a tourist resort 200km west of the capital, Kathmandu.

The two RAAF personnel were posted to RAAF Base Richmond, near Sydney.