Body of NHS doctor who died while descending Pakistan mountain is discovered
The body of Dr Asma Mushtaq, a 34-year-old NHS obstetrics and gynaecology doctor at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, has been recovered after she died descending Spantik, a 23,000ft peak in Pakistan, on 20 August. She fell ill with a serious high-altitude medical emergency at around 6,400m shortly after reaching the summit, and despite her guides' efforts she could not be saved. Severe weather then prevented her body being brought down for over a week, prompting a hazardous rescue operation.
A six-person team of high-altitude porters made repeated attempts to retrieve her, with an earlier mission forced to retreat by heavy snow and strong winds, and fresh snowfall later burying the site and requiring an extensive search. As helicopters cannot operate at that altitude, the recovery had to be completed on foot, with the body reaching Camp II by 31 August before continuing towards base camp, from where a Pakistan Army helicopter will fly it to Skardu. Dr Mushtaq, originally from Lahore, was part of a five-member Pakistani women's expedition and an experienced mountaineer with previous ascents including Musa ka Musalla; colleagues in Birmingham and the Alpine Club of Pakistan paid tribute to her dedication and courage.
In short
- NHS doctor Asma Mushtaq's body recovered after death on Pakistan's Spantik peak
- She died from a high-altitude medical emergency near the summit
- Ground team battled snow and wind to bring her body down on foot
Explained simply
Spantik is a high mountain in northern Pakistan, rising to about 23,000 feet. At that height, thin air and severe weather can make climbing dangerous, and people who become seriously ill may need to descend quickly.
Dr Asma Mushtaq was a doctor at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital and an experienced mountaineer from Lahore. She was climbing with a five-member Pakistani women’s expedition, supported by guides and high-altitude porters.
Recovering someone from a remote mountain can be difficult when snow and strong winds prevent teams from travelling safely. Helicopters cannot reach Spantik’s highest slopes, so rescue teams must carry people down on foot before they can be taken to a place where air transport is possible.