According to local papers, Acopa USAs president, Steve Karafa was killed in a car accident while on his way home from OR Summer Market on U.S. 93 when the vehicle he was riding in overturned. Climbing legend and Acopa spokesperson John Bachar was at the wheel when the accident occurred and his girlfriend, Anastasia Frangos, was in the passenger seat. Bachar suffered neck and spinal injuries but is expected to recover while Anastasia suffered minor injuries.
Karafa was reportedly ejected from the car during a rollover. Bachar fractured four vertebrae in his neck and Back and was air-lifted to the William B. Ririe Hospital in Ely. The climbing community has opened up with their heartfelt condolences numbering in the hundreds posted on various web chat-rooms and blogs.
Karafa is survived by his father, sister, and girlfriend of 19 years. A ceremony was held on Friday.
