Seamus Lawless was from Bray.
Image via FacebookThe search for an Irish man who went missing on Mount Everest has been called off.
Seamus Lawless from Bray, Co Wicklow fell while descending the world’s highest mountain which stands at 8,848 metres.
The decision was taken by rescuers and those on the mountain to stop the search for Mr Lawless, due to high winds of 55km and frigid temperatures of -27C with a wind chill, making it feel more like -43C.
The father of one was fulfilling a lifelong dream to reach the summit of Everest before he turned 40 in July of this year and was raising funds for the Barretstown children's charity.
The assistant professor in artificial intelligence at Trinity’s School of Computer Science and Statistics, did manage to reach the summit on Thursday - just hours before his fall.
He reportedly fell from an altitude of 8,300m in an area known as the balcony.
Ireland’s Pat Falvey whom has scaled Everest twice said: “Other group climbers found him dead inside his tent when he failed to appear.
The whole climbing community is devastated with this additional news,'' the Irish Sun reported.
“Mr Lawless’s wife, young daughter and other family members are distraught but the community will rally around them as best as they can.
“The search has had too be called off for safety reasons because of the high winds and frigid temperatures.
"As time passes the more difficult it will be for everyone in the group and for rescuers to locate Mr Lawless.
“This will be devastating for the group left on the mountain.
"Mr Hanna, who is group lead, is such a careful, dedicated and professional climber and for this to happen will be tough on him and indeed absolutely everyone.”
