Google engineer dies in Everest avalanche
A Google engineer climbing Mount Everest died after being caught in an avalanche caused by the powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Nepal that killed scores of people across the country, his family and colleagues said on social media Saturday.
Dan Fredinburg, an engineer on Google’s privacy team who was based in the Bay Area, died in the avalanche that swept Mount Everest, family and colleagues said on social media.
“This is Dan’s little sister Megan. I regret to inform all who loved him that during the avalanche on Everest early this morning our Dan suffered from a major head injury and didn't make it,” a message said on Fredinburg’s Instagram account. “All our love and thanks to those who shared this life with our favorite hilarious strong willed man. He was and is everything to us. Thank you.”
Google confirmed the death in a statement privacy director Lawrence You posted on social media site Google Plus.
“Sadly, we lost one of our own in this tragedy. (Fredinburg), a long-time member of the Privacy organization in Mountain View, was in Nepal with three other Googlers, hiking Mount Everest. He has passed away. The other three Googlers with him are safe and we are working to get them home quickly ... Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal, and with Dan’s family and friends during this terrible time.” Google.org is committing $1 million to the relief response to the quake, You said. Other colleagues posted on social media as well, saying Fredinburg will “continue to inspire in spirit.”
The expedition company Jagged Globe reported the death on its website, saying that Fredinburg, who was reportedly an experienced climber, was one of its Everest team members.
Actress Sophia Bush of the NBC show “Chicago P.D.” said in a message posted on Instagram that she was saddened by Fredinburg’s death.
“Dan Fredinburg was one-ofa-kind. Fearless. Funny. A dancing robot who liked to ride dinosaurs and chase the sun and envision a better future for the world. His brain knew how to build it. ... He was one of the great loves of my life.”