November 1, 1996
Statement responding to questions on the current whereabouts of Philip J. Fialkow, M.D., vice president for medical affairs and dean of the UW School of Medicine
The following statement responds to questions on the current whereabouts of Philip J. Fialkow, M.D., vice president for medical affairs and dean of the UW School of Medicine, and his wife, Helen; attribution may be made to L.G. Blanchard, spokesperson for the UW School of Medicine; additional updates will be issued as soon as they become available:
“A team consisting of six experienced Sherpa mountain guides planned to mount a fresh round of search and rescue operations at about 1 a.m. today (Nov. 1), Seattle time (13 hours and 40 minutes behind Kathmandu).
“Based on information received this morning from the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, the operation left the town of Pokhara and flew by helicopter to Dolpa. From there, the search team planned to ferry by helicopter into the area where the Fialkows and three remaining expedition team members were last known to be.
“Unfortunately, weather conditions kept the last leg of this operation from taking place today. The team will renew its efforts in the morning.
“Despite this setback, everyone remains fully committed to continuing the search effort. While there is a deepening sense of worry, Dr. and Mrs. Fialkow’s family, friends and colleagues remain hopeful that this effort will meet with success.”
