Alabamians climbing Mt. Everest during Nepal earthquake stay to help amid devastation

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April 27, 2015

GEORGIANA, Ala. — An Alabama physician is caught on Mount Everest in Nepal following the massive earthquake that devastated the already impoverished nation last weekend.

Roland Yearwood, who was making his first attempt at climbing the world’s tallest mountain, was unharmed when the earthquake caused an avalanche on the peak’s face. His wife, Amrita Yearwood, didn’t hear from him until Sunday evening, two full days after the initial tremor.

“Last night I got a text from him that he was on the north side of the mountain and that he was safe,” she told AL.com.

18 climbers were killed in the avalanche.

Relief organizations and charities from all over the world are jumping into action to treat the injured in the affected areas of South Asia after more than 4,000 Nepalese men, women, and children were killed, with an additional 7,000+ suffering injuries.

According to the AL.com report, Yearwood and his group are attempting to make it back to basecamp where they can be rescued by helicopter.

Another Alabama man was on Mount Everest when the earthquake occurred, but has reportedly made it off the mountain and to safety.

Birmingham resident and Reli Title CEO Kent Stewart posted on Facebook, “Just a quick post to let everyone know I am OK. Horrible scene here as Base Camp was totally destroyed. All climbers and guides who were here have been working non stop all day treating the injured. Our camp is the largest on Everest so most of the critically injured were brought here. Fortunately we have several doctors in camp and many lives were saved. Unfortunately, there was nothing anyone could do for those who lost their lives here today. Please keep their families in your prayers. I have truly never seen anything like this and hope I never do again. I plan to stay here as long as I can be of assistance and worry about how I will get home later. But I will eventually come home…and I feel so fortunate to be able to say that. Namaste.”