Radio News Writing Assignment “Climbers”
Instructions:
1. Today is Thursday, for purposes of the exercise. Your sources
include the AP wire stories and updates (included below). Pay
careful attention to time elements. Times are EDT. You are reporting
this story for WNYC-FM. It is intended for the 5 pm newscast.
(If there is time, professors may ask you to do an update for
the 6 pm newscast with breaking developments.)
2. You also have called two sources for information. Actualities
from those interviews can be found in the folder “Climbers-acts”.
They are Sgt. Alderman and Keith Mischke.
3. Write a short radio piece, not longer than 1 minute thirty
seconds (including intro). (One minute is roughly 140-160 words,
but the only accurate way to gauge time is to read and time
your script. Do not rush or slow down your read in order to
meet the time goal. )
4. The piece will include:
a. an intro: 10-15 seconds. The intro is read by the anchor.
It must tell the news and introduce the reporter, who in this
case is you.
b. Write a script focusing on the latest news. You may include
a mention of the accident the previous day, at your discretion.
c. Use at least one actuality (recorded sound bite) in the piece.
d. Sign off, “Your Name, Columbia Radio News”
5. Edit your script with a professor.
6. Record your script in Pro Tools. Mix in the actualities.
(Do not record the intro.) Dub the finished piece onto a cassette.
Cue it ready to play.
7. Bring the cassette and your script, containing the intro,
to the classroom for audition. Someone will read the intro for
your piece, and we will play your tape.
Climbers 1st lede (today 2:42 pm)
BC-Climbers-Accident, 1st Ld-Writethru, a0619,0375
Seven climbers fall in crevasse near summit on Oregon's Mount
Hood; one feared dead Eds: Rewrites throughout to UPDATE with
rescue helicopters en route, expert says crevasse near summit;
add detail on Wednesday's deaths on Mount Rainier. Adds byline
By JOSEPH B. FRAZIER
Associated Press Writer
TIMBERLINE LODGE, Ore. (AP) - Seven climbers fell into a crevasse
near the summit of Mount Hood on Thursday, and authorities said
at least one was feared dead.
Two groups of climbers were about 800 feet from the summit at
9a.m. when they fell, said Angela Blanchard, Clackamas County
sheriff's spokeswoman.
Several climbers were injured, and rescuers have been mobilized,
she said.
A paramedic who was with the group did not fall into the crevasse
and was trying to guide rescuers using his cell phone, Blanchard
said.
At least two rescue helicopters were en route, said sheriff's
Sgt. Nick Watt, who was helping organize the rescue from a command
post at Timberline Lodge.
"We've got some injuries, some trauma injuries," Watt
said, but he could not confirm whether there had been a death.
Keith Mischke, executive director of the Mazamas climbing club,
said the crevasse, about 25 to 30 feet deep, is one of the last
obstacles before reaching the summit of the mountain, the tallest
in Oregon.
At this time of year, Mischke said, climbers often try to cross
the crevasse on a naturally occurring "snow bridge,"
crossing early in the morning before the sun starts to melt the
snow.
The accident comes a day after a man and a woman died on Mount
Rainier, about 100 miles to the north of Mount Hood in Washington
state. Rescuers believe they also spotted the body of a second
woman. The climbers, two from Germany and the third from Lebanon,
Ore., became trapped during a storm.
One body was recovered on Wednesday, but weather hampered rescuers.
Authorities planned to send a helicopter to the summit Thursday
to try to recover the others, Mount Rainier National Park spokeswoman
Maria Gillett said.
The crevasse is 13,400 to 13,600 feet up Mount Rainier, the highest
peak in the Pacific Northwest. AP-ES-05-30-02 1443EDT
Climbers2nd ld (today 4:11 pm)
BC-Climbers-Accident, 2nd Ld-Writethru, a0660,0306
Three climbers die in Mount Hood accident Eds: UPDATES with three
climbers dead, other details. AP Photos
By JOSEPH B. FRAZIER
Associated Press Writer
TIMBERLINE LODGE, Ore. (AP) - Nine climbers fell into a crevasse
near the summit of 11,240-foot Mount Hood on Thursday and three
died, officials said. Three others were reported critically injured.
Rescuers set out on foot, in helicopters and in snow vehicles
inan attempt to reach the victims.
Authorities said two groups of climbers were about 800 feet from
the summit of Oregon's highest mountain when they fell into the
crevasse. A paramedic with the group used his cell phone to call
for help.
"We do have three deceased people up there," said Angela
Blanchard, Clackamas County sheriff's spokeswoman. She said three
others were critically injured. It was not immediately known whether
the climbers were ascending the peak or coming down when the accident
happened.
A military helicopter hovered over the crevasse and began lowering
a rescuer. The weather was sunny and winds were calm, easing the
task of helicopter crews, but officials said any high-altitude
operation is risky.
Keith Mischke, executive director of a climbing club, said the
crevasse into which the climbers fell is about 25 to 30 feet deep.
Climbers normally go around it or cross it on one of the snow
bridges that naturally form across the gap, he said.
"They go across the bridges one at a time usually - a snow
bridge can be between 2 feet or 15 feet wide," he said. But
he added: "If somebody falls they could pull the others in."
The accident comes a day after at least two climbers who became
trapped in a storm died on Mount Rainier, about 100 miles to the
north of Mount Hood in Washington state.
AP-ES-05-30-02 1612EDT
(4:55 pm)
BC-APNewsAlert,0020
TIMBERLINE LODGE, Ore. - A helicopter rescuing climbers on Mount
Hood crashes on the mountain
AP-ES-05-30-02 1655EDT
(5:02 pm)
BC-Climbers-Accident, 4th Ld, a0723,0100
URGENT
Helicopter crashes while trying to rescue climbers who fell into
crevasse on Mount Hood
Eds: UPDATES with helicopter crash.
AP Photos
By JOSEPH B. FRAZIER
Associated Press Writer
TIMBERLINE LODGE, Ore. (AP) - A helicopter crashed Thursday while
attempting to rescue nine climbers who fell into a crevasse near
the summit of 11,240-foot Mount Hood.
It wasn't immediately clear if anyone aboard the helicopter was
injured. Three of the climbers died when they fell, and three
others were reported critically injured.
MORE
AP-ES-05-30-02 1702EDT
(5:11 pm)
BC-Climbers-Accident, 4th Ld-1st Add, a0731,0075
URGENT
TIMBERLINE LODGE, Ore.: critically injured.
Television news helicopters showed the Oregon Air National Guard
helicopter hovering and then smashing into the mountain not far
from the crevasse into which the climbers had fallen. The Blackhawk's
nose hit the snow, and the aircraft then rolled down a slope.
Five people were on board the helicopter, according to KGW-TV.
MORE
BC-Climbers-Accident, 5th Ld-Writethru, a0726,-731,-734,-738,0538
URGENT
Nine climbers fall into crevasse on Mount Hood, three killed;
rescue helicopter crashes
Eds: Combines pvs; RECASTS lead to CLARIFY that three of the nine
climbers died; UPDATES with one person on helicopter injured;
minor editing throughout.
AP Photos; AP Graphic CHOPPER CRASH
By JOSEPH B. FRAZIER
Associated Press Writer
TIMBERLINE LODGE, Ore. (AP) - Nine climbers fell into a crevasse
Thursday near he summit of 11,240-foot Mount Hood and three died.
A helicopter attempting to rescue the survivors crashed on the
mountainside.
One person on the Blackhawk helicopter was critically injured,
and "we're trying to assess the rest," said Angela Blanchard,
spokeswoman for the Clackamas County Sheriff's Department.
Five people, including the pilot and co-pilot, were on board,
according to KGW-TV. Blanchard said she didn't know what caused
the chopper to crash.
Television news helicopters showed the Oregon Air National Guard
helicopter hovering and then smashing into the mountain not far
from the crevasse into which the climbers had fallen. The Blackhawk's
nose hit the snow, and the aircraft then rolled down a slope.
Sgt. Alan Alderman of the Clark County Sheriff's Department was
monitoring radio traffic and said he heard the transmission, "Chopper's
going down, chopper's going down."
The weather was sunny and winds were calm, easing the task of
helicopter crews, but officials said any high-altitude operation
is risky.
Rescuers had set out on foot, in helicopters and in snow vehicles
in an attempt to reach the victims. Three of the climbers died
when they fell, and three others were reported critically injured.
By midday a helicopter had lifted at least one person off the
mountain to be taken to a Portland hospital.
Authorities said two groups of climbers were about 800 feet from
the summit of Oregon's highest mountain when they fell into the
crevasse about 9 a.m. A paramedic with the group used his cell
phone to call for help.
"We do have three deceased people up there," said Angela
Blanchard, Clackamas County sheriff's spokeswoman. She said three
others were critically injured. It was not immediately known whether
the climbers were ascending the peak or coming down when the accident
happened.
Keith Mischke, executive director of a climbing club, said the
crevasse into which the climbers fell is about 25 to 30 feet deep.
Climbers normally go around it or cross it on one of the snow
bridges that naturally form across the gap, he said.
"They go across the bridges one at a time usually - a snow
bridge can be between 2 feet or 15 feet wide," he said. But
he added: "If somebody falls they could pull the others in."
The accident came a day after at least two climbers who became
trapped in a storm died on Mount Rainier, about 100 miles to the
north of Mount Hood in Washington state.
The worst climbing disaster on Mount Hood was in May 1986 when
11 people died. Nine teen-agers and two teachers from the Oregon
Episcopal School in Portland froze to death while retreating from
a storm during an annual climb by students and staff.
AP-ES-05-30-02 1728EDT
