Nearly a week after Italian alpinists Simon Kehrer and Walter Nones were rescued from Nanga Parbat (read the July 24, 2008 NewsWire), the Pakistani army pilots again flew Western mountaineers to safe ground. On July 27, 2008, four Austrians were plucked from Spantik (7027m) from an altitude of 5600m. Three of them were unharmed and were lowered to base camp, while the expedition leader was brought to the hospital in Skardu, Pakistan. Armin Liedl, a guide for Austrian outfitter Bergspechte, broke his leg on the mountain and asked for assistance on Friday, July 25. Due to poor weather conditions, July 27 presented the first opportunity to rescue the Austrians.
Meanwhile, Pakistani pilots are also involved in the search for 28-year-old Benjamin Cheek. This British alpinist was climbing on Shimshal Whitehorn (6303m) when his two companions lost contact with him on July 19, 2008 (read more in the July 28, 2008 NewsWire).
More information on these developing stories will be posted as it becomes available.
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