Pieter Swart death: UBC and Vancouver General Hospitals’ anesthesiologist passed away on Thursday (25 May) in pursuit of a lifelong dream.
Swart, who was from Vancouver, passed away while trying to climb Mount Everest. UBC Faculty of Medicine is mourning the unexpected demise of their coworker Dr. Pieter Swart.
The University of British Columbia’s faculty of Medicine released a statement about the anesthesiologist’s death.
Swart is remembered as a warm and caring physician, spouse and father of two grown-up kids.
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UBC Doctor Pieter Swart Death And Obituary
Pieter Swart, who was an anesthesiologist and associate professor at UBC’s faculty of medicine, passed away on 25 May 2023.
It has been reported that the physician died while bravely pursuing his lifelong dream of scaling Mount Everest, the top of the world. His colleagues, family, and relatives are devastated by the untimely death of Dr. Swart.
Pieter Swart lost his life while descending from Camp IV, the highest camp below the summit, revealed the statement published by the UBC’s anesthesiology department.
On Friday, Colleague Dr. Hamed Umedaly wrote to the faculty in an online post, “Peter was lost to us while bravely chasing his dream of being at the top of Mount Everest since he was nine years old.”
“Pieter had an insatiable wanderlust,” added the mourning workmate.
Nepalese authorities have also confirmed Swart’s death. They identified the physician as a Canadian citizen who became ill in the “death zone,” or 8,000 meters above sea level, where oxygen concentrations are too low to sustain human life for an extended period and where supplemental oxygen is often used.
As reported by Vancouver Sun, the doctor woke up on summit day but felt unwell. Then, he decided to return to safety at Camp II. A helicopter was waiting for him.
However, his condition began deteriorating, and he lost consciousness on his way to Camp IV. He reportedly suffered cardiac arrest.
As per the local reports, Pieter had acute mountain sickness. “There are so many confounding factors, but it is the likely the case,” said Dr. Hamed Umedaly.
Swart’s colleague added that his symptoms were compatible with high-altitude pulmonary edema.
With the passing of the UBC anesthesiologist, Mount Everest’s death toll for the season rose to twelve.
Meet Dr. Pieter Swart Wife Suretha And Family
Pieter Swart leaves behind his wife, Suretha, and two grown-up children – Pieter and Marna. His mother, sister and brother also survive the physician.
According to Umedaly, one of the many admirable things about Swart waws his love for his family. “Everything he did was for his family – except for Everest.”
Swart’s Everest journey was documented on his Instagram account.
In his first post on 11 May, the doctor stated that he was awaiting a weather window in Namche Bazaar. He wrote their expedition was about to enter its defining stage.
Dr. Swart shared his final post six days later – a picture captured in the Khumbu icefall. Along with the snap, he wrote, “Perfect day.”
Colleagues who knew him well characterized him as a kind, compassionate doctor who loved to laugh and was a role model and inspiration for his students.
He spent 19 years working at the UBC and Vancouver General Hospitals. He has taught and influenced around half of the anesthesiologists in the area, according to Umedaly.
Swart’s friend and colleague Umedaly stated that the mountain may have been his personal goal, but he embarked on it with a connection to them.
Swart’s body was still in Nepal as of Friday. His family and coworkers will hold A memorial service in his honor.
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