Body of hiker who fell off cliff in Everest region brought back

The body of Mr Harry Tan Eng Kwang, who died after he slipped and fell while hiking in the Everest region of Nepal about two weeks ago, arrived in Singapore on Oct 9. His family is holding a three-day wake at The Garden of Remembrance in Old Choa Chu Kang Road and the cremation will be held on Oct 12.

- Wong Shiying

The body of Mr Harry Tan Eng Kwang, who died after he slipped and fell while hiking in the Everest region of Nepal about two weeks ago, arrived in Singapore on Oct 9.

His family is holding a three-day wake at The Garden of Remembrance in Old Choa Chu Kang Road and the cremation will be held on Oct 12.

Mr Tan, 76, reportedly went missing on Sept 26 near the 5,500m-high Kongma La Pass in Nepal, which is south of Everest Base Camp.

His body was found on Oct 4 after a search-and-rescue operation that lasted more than a week.

Speaking to The Straits Times at a packed funeral wake, his wife, Dr Jessie Png, said her prayers were answered when his body was found, as bad weather conditions had hampered rescue efforts.

Dr Png, 66, who is a senior lecturer at the Nanyang Technological University's National Institute of Education (NIE), said: "It was challenging for the rescue team to find Harry due to the snow.

"I saw pictures and the rescuers were knee-deep in snow. Fortunately, they succeeded with the help of equipment like satellite phones, scanners and walkie-talkies."