A photo showing Jon Clarke, who died while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on Feb. 29, 2024, and his wife Jenene Clarke.Photo:Alexander Clarke
Alexander Clarke
A 60-year-old Australian man died on Feb. 29 while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, according to authorities and local news reports.
In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the agency is providing consular assistance to the victim’s family.
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“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” per the statement. “Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”
The victim was identified as Jon Clarke, the former head of printing forThe Canberra Timeswho retired in 2021, according to a report from the Australia-based newspaper.
“Jon was a family man, a loving father and husband who dedicated his life to his family and the newspaper industry,” said Alexander Clarke, one of Jon Clarke’s sons, in an email to PEOPLE Thursday. “He was the B-grade Cootamundra sports champion, a title he proudly wore his whole life. He was an experienced hiker who trained for this trip for six months.”
Clarke, who hailed from Canberra, Australia, was on the seventh day of his climb when he experienced altitude sickness,Sky Newsreported. He was 100 meters (328 feet) away from the top.
According to theNational Geographic Society, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain with a peak at 19,340 feet. PerKilimanjaro National Park, about 30,000 people climb the mountain each year, with the number of fatalities ranging between 3 and 10 people annually.
Alexander said via7NEWS Australia, Clarke, who was with his best friend during the ascent, had difficulty breathing. They turned around and started to descend but Clarke collapsed. Attempts to resuscitate him through CPR failed.
Alexander also told 7NEWS his family did not know until March 2 that Jon died.
Clarke reportedly said, “Just get me to the top,” before he had to go down from the mountain.
Clarke’s other son Lewis said that he hoped his father enjoyed the climb. “He trained very hard for the walk,” he toldThe Canberra Times, “and I think he was excited to show us pictures when he got back.”
Clarke had long worked in the newspaper business, including as a press operator atThe Canberra Timesbeginning in 1993, through his retirement two years ago, said the newspaper.
He was married to his wife Jenene for 31 years, addedThe Canberra Times.
source: people.com
