Discovery cancels Everest Jump Live

Discovery Channel has cancelled its planned coverage of Everest Jump Live by a California daredevil in his wingsuit, following last week’s deadly avalanche.

Friday’s avalanche was the single deadliest incident on Everest, killing 13 Sherpas, with three other people missing and at least half a dozen hurt in the slide.

In a statement the Discovery Channel announced it was pulling its planned live coverage of parachutist Joby Ogwyn’s jump “in light of the overwhelming tragedy” and out of respect for the families of the dead.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Sherpa community,” the network said.

It was unclear whether climber and parachutist Joby Ogwyn still planned to leap off the top of the world’s highest peak.

At first, the stuntman told his fans on Facebook that he was sticking with his plans “staying on the mountain to honor our friends and complete our project.”

But the post appeared to have been deleted.

“These men were the salt of the Earth. Far better men than me. My heart is broken,” he wrote.

Ogwyn planned to descend more than 3,000 metres at over 240 kilometres per hour, beamed live into 224 countries and territories.

Source: CNN