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Google executive amongst those killed in avalanches caused by Nepal earthquake

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By Gillian West | Social media manager

April 26, 2015 | 2 min read

A Google executive has been confirmed dead following a series of avalanches that buried Everest basecamp after an earthquake in Nepal.

American Dan Fredinburg was the first confirmed fatality on the mountain yesterday along with former University of Leicester medical student doctor Dr Marisa Eva Girawong. Fredinburg and other Google executives were climbing Everest with adventure team Jagged Globe.

As a 'Google Adventurer' Fredinburg used to photograph the world's highest peaks for Google Maps. He was also head of privacy for the search giant's invention factory Google X. The rest of the team with him sustained non life-threatening injuries.

Former girlfriend, actress Sophia Bush, took to Instagram upon learning of his death to honour "one-of-a-kind" Fredinburg describing him as "fearless" and Fredinburg's sister posted on his Instagram account that he had suffered a "major head injury" during the avalanche.

"We appreciate all of the love that has been sent our way thus far and know his soul and spirit will live on in so many of us. All out love and thanks to those who shared this life with out favourite hilarious strong willed man. He was and is everything to us. Thank you," she wrote.

Estimates from officials suggest 1,000 climbers had been at basecamp or on Everest when the disaster struck. The Jagged Globe team Fredinburg was climbing with released a statement which read: "It is with the greatest sorrow that we report the death of one of our Everest team members, Daniel Fredinburg.

"Two other team members have non life-threatening injures, as a result of the avalanche that struck basecamp during the earthquake and its aftershocks. They are being looked after in basecamp. All Sherpas and other team members are uninjured and are safe in base camp or in Gorak Shep, a nearby cluster of tea houses and lodges.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dan's family and friend whilst we pray too for all those who have lost their lives in one of the greatest tragedies ever to hit the Himalayan nation."

At least 2,000 people have died in the Nepalese earthquake with as many as 18 climbers and sherpas feared dead.

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