Everest Case Dismissed

 

The case against 3 men was finally dismissed at Southwark County Court in July of this year. The defendants, all involved in the Everest expedition on which Michael Mathews died in 1999, had been accused of manslaughter in a private prosecution.

It is assumed that Mr. Mathews fell to his death, but as his body was never recovered, no one really knows exactly how he died.

In his statement dismissing the case, Judge Rivlin said, " no one doubts that Michael and his family, whilst understandably expecting the expedition to be well organised and safe as was reasonably possible, were fully aware of, and undeterred by, the possible dangers that lay ahead......it is not the purpose of the criminal law to stifle the spirit of adventure, or inhibit personal ambition and endeavor."

He ended his ruling with "all the evidence appears to show that his death was truly one of the many tragic accidents for which Mount Everest, and the forces of nature that play with deadly effect upon its summit, has become deservedly notorious."

All COMMENTS welcome here