29.04.2011
On his 52nd birthday, during an ascent of Grünhorn (4043 m) in the Bernese Alps, the top alpinist Erhard Loretan suffered a fatal accident.
The accident occurred at around 3800 m, when he fell from the mountain together with his climbing partner. The cause of the fall is still being investigated. The climbing partner is still in critical condition due to severe injuries.
Erhard Loretan was the third person to climb all 14 eight-thousanders.