Tragedy strikes as 3 climbers die while descending mountain

Three climbers from Renton, Washington died over the weekend after falling during a climb in North Cascades National Park.

Personnel from the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office and Okanogan County Search and Rescue volunteers responded to reports of a climbing accident near North Early Winters Spire, nearly 16 miles west of Mazama, Washington, at about 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The responders learned that a party of four climbers from Renton, which is a suburb of Seattle, were involved in a fall while descending a steep gully, the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office said.

When crews arrived at the accident site, they found three of the climbers dead.

MISSING CLIMBER IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK FOUND DEAD AFTER SUFFERING APPARENT FALL

According to the Okanogan County Coroner’s Office, the three people who died were ages 36, 47 and 63.

The fourth climber, though, self-extricated and was able to contact law enforcement about the incident.

21-YEAR-OLD ROCK CLIMBER FALLS, DIES AT STORIED ‘CLOSE ENCOUNTERS’ FILMING LOCATION: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

The Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team assisted with the extrication of the three dead climbers from the mountainous terrain.

A preliminary investigation has determined that the accident happened after an anchor failed while the climbers were rappelling down the steep terrain, though the investigation is still ongoing.

MOUNT EVEREST REMAINS BELIEVED TO BE CLIMBER WHO VANISHED 100 YEARS AGO

The National Park Service did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the matter.

The sheriff’s office thanked the search and rescue volunteers and Snohomish County helicopter crews for helping with the “tragic incident.”

“Our thoughts are with the family members and friends of those involved,” the sheriff’s office said.