MOUNTAINEER Dan Mazor was up for an award after abandoning an attempt to conquer Everest in order to save another man’s life, as reported in the Gazette in August 2006.

The former Cam resident had been shortlisted for the Vodafone Life Savers Award after rescuing Australian climber Lincoln Hall at 28,000 feet after he had spent the night alone without oxygen, food, a hat or gloves.

Expedition leader Dan and his team abandoned their own attempt to climb the world’s highest mountain just 1,000 feet from the summit after finding Lincoln – whose wife had already been told he was dead.

The 50-year-old Australian was delirious, suffering from altitude sickness and severe frostbite having become stranded after reaching the top of Everest.

Dan said: “Lincoln had been left by his team, who took his things because they presumed he would die during the night.”

“He was rolling around on a sharp ledge and could have fallen thousands of feet at any time.”

Lincoln had given up all hope of survival and “took some convincing that he was still alive” according got Dan.

“We got him food and tied him to ropes then gave him some tea and radioed his team.”

Dan had been shortlisted for the award, which would then be narrowed down to ten, with the finalists being invited to Downing Street to meet Tony Blair.

Speaking from his American home in Olympia, near Seattle, Dan said: “It’s such a great honour for me – I’m really chuffed.”