"He was on top of the world": Family of Aussie who died on Mount Everest break silence
<p>The family of an Australian man who died while climbing Mount Everest have spoken out.</p>
<p>Jason Bernard Kennison, 40, conquered Everest’s summit before falling sick during his descent and dying on May 19, his family said in a statement.</p>
<p>“It is with absolute broken hearts that our dearly beloved brother, son, cousin, friend passed away Friday 19th climbing Mt Everest,” the post read.</p>
<p>Grief-stricken loved ones have paid tribute to Kennison, describing him as “full of life”.</p>
<p>“He would put his mind to something, set a goal and achieve it,” his family said.</p>
<p>“Whether that be playing footy as a kid, winning motocross races, working around the world in the mining industry and in high-risk environments.</p>
<p>“He wanted to raise awareness and money for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, wanting to help others who had similar struggles to himself.</p>
<p>“We are so proud of his achievements and we take great solace in knowing he made it to the summit. The highest place on this earth.”</p>
<p>Jason’s mother Gillian Kennison said her son was “so determined and so full of life”.</p>
<p>“He was amazing ... an amazing son, an amazing brother and uncle,” she told reporters.</p>
<p>“And he was on top of the world ... literally on top of the world”.</p>
<p>The Kennison family revealed Jason had made it to the top of the mountain and was in good spirits.</p>
<p>“He had his photo taken on top of the summit,” they said.</p>
<p>“He was proud of himself, however, during the descent, he suddenly fell ill and that’s when he passed away.”</p>
<p>The family went on to say that their son went through all the proper training he could to prepare to reach the Everest summit.</p>
<p>“We would like to send our greatest love and thanks to Nepal where he had Sherpas go above and beyond to help try to bring him home,” they said.</p>
<p>“We are worlds apart but united through our love for Jason. His family are heartbroken and he will be forever missed.”</p>
<p>Kennison was climbing to raise money for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA).</p>
<p>Rather than flowers, his family has asked others to support Kennison’s fundraising page.</p>
<p>In a crippling blow, Kennison’s family has been told it’s too dangerous to retrieve his body.</p>
<p>Local media reports his remains are still in the mountain’s balcony area.</p>
<p>Expedition company Asian Trekking helped Kennison organise the trip, and managing director Dawa Steven Sherpa said two guides accompanied the Aussie when he became unresponsive.</p>
<p>“They ran out of oxygen and bringing supplement bottles from Camp IV couldn’t be possible due to excessive winds,” Sherpa told AFP.</p>
<p>“It was high wind and bad weather that prevented them (from) going back to bring him down. He died at the Balcony area.”</p>
<p>Kennison, a diesel mechanic who was living in Perth, was involved in a horrific car crash when he was 22 years old.</p>
<p>He said he spiralled into depression after being told he would no longer be able to work as a mechanic given multiple broken bones and a spinal cord injury.</p>
<p>After years of rehabilitation, Kennison learnt to walk again and was able to go back to work.</p>
<p>However, about four years ago, he returned to rehab due to nerve damage in his spine.</p>
<p>“A personal goal for me is that fulfilment. To put together all my experiences and just be the person I know I can with integrity and live with all my beliefs and values and just accept that I have had injuries, but I’m still OK.”</p>
<p><em>Image credit: Facebook</em></p>
