RAF officer who died during mountain expedition had no radio to call for help

A Royal Air Force officer who died during a mountaineering accident had been unable to call for help – because he did not have a radio.

A military inquiry found that Wing Commander Gordon Henderson, 40, gave his radio to colleagues who had descended from the 26,000 foot summit after developing High Altitude Sickness.

Hours after his colleagues made the descent from Broad Peak in Pakistan in July 2022, it’s believed Mr Henderson also developed the illness.

Mr Henderson had been heading back to base camp when he fell ill, according to a witness, but his body has not been recovered.

Mountain guide Francois Cazzanelli was close to Mr Henderson when he appeared to have lost his balance and fall.

Mr Cazzanelli said: ‘He lost his balance and he was spun forward. He slid for just a moment, then he fell head first. He disappeared without even crying out. I was speechless, rooted to the spot.’

Mr Cazzanelli searched for Mr Henderson but only found pieces of his clothing and equipment, so he alerted other RAF colleagues.

He added: ‘They showed me a photo to check that the man I saw fall was really him. It was Gordon.’

An MoD spokesperson said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Wg Cdr Gordon Henderson’s family, friends and colleagues.

‘The MoD welcomes the comprehensive inquiry report and is working to implement the agreed recommendations as soon as practicable.’

It remains unknown what illness afflicted Mr Henderson, but two types of severe altitude sickness can occur while climbing.

High altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) is the swelling of the brain caused by a lack of oxygen.

A person with HACE often doesn’t realise they’re ill and may insist they’re all right and want to be left alone.

Signs to look out for include headache, weakness, vomiting, loss of co-ordination, feeling confused and hallucinations.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is a build up of fluid in the lungs, and is the major cause of death related to high-altitude exposure as it requires emergency treatment – often absent on the summit of a mountain.

Signs to look out for include breathlessness even when resting, fever, coughing up frothy spit, blue tinge to the skin and weakness.

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