[pct-l] Southern Sierra Airlift ? (addendum)

[Paint YW]

I am following up on the original post and subsequent question about a
rumor that a hiker had broken their leg up in the Sierras presumably hiking
the PCT. I am positing that the following CHP report detailing a second
rescue incident off of Mt. Whitney, might be the catalyst or origin of the
alleged rumor mongering.

Here's the beef-

[ At approximately 12:30 Saturday April 22nd, Inyo County Sheriff’s
Dispatch received notification of an avalanche, with one reported injury,
on the lower end of the Mountaineer’s Route (~9,500 elevation). The
reporting party did not witness the avalanche, but as he was hiking he
noticed the runout zone of the avalanche, and below that there was one
injured male hiker believed to be suffering from a broken leg ]

Two SARs on Mt. Whitney

At approximately 4:00pm Friday April 21st, Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch
received notification of a potential fatality on the Mt. Whitney
Mountaineer’s Route. According to the reporting party, who was a member of
a hiking group that was descending the trail, a male solo hiker passed the
group ascending in the last chute near the summit (~13,800 elevation).
Sometime after the hiking group was continuing their descent a backpack
tumbled down near them that the hikers recognized as the backpack belonging
to the solo hiker. The members of the group called out repeatedly, but
there was no response. In order to get enough reception to call into the
Sheriff’s Office they hiked down to Iceberg Lake (~12,600 elevation) to
dial 911. Inyo Sheriff started an investigation but it was too dark to
begin an aerial search.

CHP H-80 out of Apple Valley responded the morning of Saturday April 22,
and located the body around 1:00pm. The body was inside the boundary of
Sequoia-Kings National Park, and therefore the recovery was coordinated
through Sequoia-Kings.

At approximately 12:30 Saturday April 22nd, Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch
received notification of an avalanche, with one reported injury, on the
lower end of the Mountaineer’s Route (~9,500 elevation). The reporting
party did not witness the avalanche, but as he was hiking he noticed the
runout zone of the avalanche, and below that there was one injured male
hiker believed to be suffering from a broken leg.

Although CHP H-80 was already near Mt. Whitney doing aerial reconnaissance
for the fatality, they were unable to assist because they are not hoist
certified. Additional aerial support was requested through Inyo County
Search and Rescue, and CHP H-70 out of Paso Robles was able to respond.

The avalanche victim, identified as Sung Kim, 64 year old male from
Fullerton, CA, was successfully airlifted out and transported to Southern
Inyo Hospital for treatment.

Due to historic snowfall in the Sierra we want to remind outdoor
enthusiasts that the risk of avalanches is greater than in past years.
Additionally, the high snowpack requires experience and technical skills.

Agencies assisting this weekend include: CHP H-80, CHP H-70, Sequoia-Kings,
Inyo SAR, Inyo Sheriff.

Best regards,

Paint

Note: This report leaves the reader confused by commenting on an individual
at possibly (~9,500') that broke their leg due to the effects of an
avalanche, then refers to a deceased individual at possibly (~13,800') as
"the" avalanche victim.

Question: Are there two incidents?

Question? Are there two individuals: one deceased, and one injured?

Question? Did Sung Kim get carried down slope by an avalanche, from 13,800'
to 9,500', and that there is only one victim / individual?