The fate of Discovery Channel’s planned “Everest Jump Live” special is in limbo after an avalanche killed 13 people on Mt. Everest Thursday night — the deadliest disaster ever recorded at the site.
Just this past Monday, Discovery set May 11 as the date it planned to air Joby Ogwyn’s journey to the summit of Mt. Everest and his plunge off the top in a specially-designed wingsuit equipped with cameras.
The 13 people killed in Thursday night’s avalanche were Nepalese sherpas who prepare the mountain for climbing season. Ogwyn and a seven-member crew from NBC News’ Peacock Productions (which is producing the two-hour special) were on the mountain preparing for “Everest Jump Live” when the avalanche struck, but were all unharmed.
“We are working closely with the team on the ground to assist however we can, and our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families,” an NBC News spokesperson told The Post. “The future of the production will be assessed at the appropriate time.”
A Discovery Channel spokesperson also did not specify whether the accident would delay production, saying, “The avalanche last night on Mt. Everest is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who are lost and with their families. The immediate priority for Joby and the team is to assist the search and rescue efforts in any way possible.”