Ground search called off for missing skydiver in Washington mountains

Seattle, WA, United States (4E) – The search and rescue operation that covered Cascade Mountains in Washington for the 29-year-old Florida skydiver who has been missing for days was discontinued Sunday evening.

According to officials, Kurt Ruppert vanished Thursday after jumping out of a helicopter at 6,500 feet while wearing a wingsuit, a special jumpsuit that enables a person to glide long distance before the deployment of a parachute.

Ruppert was reported missing at 2:30 p.m. on January 3, by the pilot after his second jump when he failed to return to the landing zone.

Sgt. Cindy West, a spokeswoman for the King County Sheriff’s Office, said that the only areas left to be covered are those that required helicopter search because they consist of steep cliffs and ravines.

West added that they hope to get the helicopters back when the weather clears.

Authorities revealed that low temperatures on Mount Si where the search operation had been centered could mean a slight chance of survival.

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