New Details on Rescue of Hiker Allegedly Abandoned by Co-Workers

Recently, a 46-year-old insurance underwriter named Steve Stephanides was rescued from the treacherous terrain of Mt. Shavano in central Colorado after being allegedly abandoned by his coworkers during a charity hike. The mission was part of an effort to raise funds for World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit established by celebrity chef José Andrés that provides meals in disaster-stricken areas worldwide.

Stephanides faced a harrowing night on the summit, which stands at 14,230 feet, battling freezing rain and harsh weather conditions prior to his rescue on Saturday. Although his company, Beazley, has been gathering information about the event, inquiries directed to him were referred to a spokesperson.

Beazley CEO Adrian Cox expressed gratitude towards the Chaffee County Search and Rescue – South team, which played a vital role in saving Stephanides. “Their swift response and brave actions during adverse weather conditions ensured that our colleague was rescued and returned safely,” Cox stated, highlighting the dedication of the volunteer rescuers.

This annual charity hike has been a tradition for over a decade, with employees engaging enthusiastically in fundraising efforts. According to a company spokesperson, Beazley has allowed its employees to participate in these hikes to support World Central Kitchen, aiding numerous humanitarian efforts, including those in Ukraine and Gaza.

Cox noted the long-standing commitment of employees to this charitable cause and assured that they would be supported during their recovery from this incident. However, further clarification regarding the details of how the situation transpired that day was not provided.

According to the Chaffee County Search and Rescue team, complications arose when one member of the hiking group was left to summit the mountain alone. Reports indicate that about 14 employees made it down safely while one ascended solo after taking a brief break. Stephanides managed to reach the summit at 11:30 a.m., but as he began his descent, he became disoriented and lost the trail.

Following his attempts to locate the correct route, Stephanides used his cellphone to pin-drop his location for his colleagues, who advised him he was off track. He was instructed to return to the summit to access the right trail, yet the descent proved increasingly challenging. He became trapped in a steep boulder and scree field located on the mountain’s northeast slopes.

As storm conditions worsened with freezing rain and high winds, communication became more difficult. Just before 4 p.m. local time on Friday, Stephanides sent another location pin-drop indicating he was near the correct trail. Unfortunately, the weather quickly deteriorated, greatly affecting his ability to navigate.

Rescue officials reported that multiple teams from across Colorado were deployed to search for Stephanides, who had fallen numerous times while trying to descend. He ultimately lost cellphone reception, complicating the rescue effort further. After hours of mounting challenges, he reported the situation to his colleagues that evening, resulting in search teams being dispatched to find him.

Compounding the issue, his coworkers had collected some belongings left behind in a boulder field, which further obscured the path back down the mountain. Upon reporting him missing around 9 p.m., rescue teams finally located Stephanides in a gully near a drainage creek. He was transported down on a gurney and taken to a hospital in stable condition.

Stephanides was described by rescuers as “phenomenally lucky” due to the weather clearing on the day of his rescue, allowing him to regain some communication with emergency services. This fortunate turn of events enabled him to place a call for help, leading to his successful extraction from the mountain.

Rescue team president Danny Andres expressed the tiring yet rewarding nature of their volunteer work. “It’s fantastic to go out, find people, and reunite them with their loved ones,” he remarked, highlighting the community spirit and dedication of the volunteers involved in this operation.

In the aftermath of the rescue, both the company and its employees are likely to reflect on the experience, considering future hikes with a renewed understanding of safety and teamwork.

Source: ABC News