Mother Warns of Altitude Sickness After Daughter's Fatal Trip to Bolivia

Jennifer Ashton, a 37-year-old fit and healthy mother from London, died from altitude sickness during a solo trip to Bolivia, her mother is now warning other travelers.

Ashton had a bucket list that included destinations like Machu Picchu and Bolivia's salt flats. She embarked on a two-week trip to South America, intending to return shortly before her son's first day of secondary school. Her journey began in Cartagena, Colombia, followed by time in Peru.

On August 26, she arrived in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, and traveled directly to Uyuni, a town near the world's largest salt flat. Tragically, she fell ill in her hotel room and never left. Her mother, Bella King, received a call from medics stating they had found her daughter unconscious. Upon revival, Jennifer was disoriented and losing consciousness.

King instructed medical staff to do everything possible to save her daughter, which involved an eight-hour ambulance transfer to a hospital at a lower altitude. At this point, Jennifer was experiencing breathing difficulties and had fluid in her lungs. Despite the efforts of two doctors accompanying her, the delay in reaching specialized care proved fatal. Jennifer died en route to the hospital on August 27, 2026.

The cause of death was identified as High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), a severe form of altitude sickness. HAPE typically develops within two to four days of a rapid ascent to high altitude. It occurs when fluid accumulates in the lungs, hindering the body's ability to absorb oxygen. At altitudes generally above 2,500 meters (approximately 8,200 feet), lower oxygen levels can cause blood vessels in the lungs to constrict. In some individuals, this increases pressure within the lungs, leading to fluid leakage into the air sacs and severe respiratory distress.

Symptoms of HAPE can include shortness of breath, a persistent cough, extreme fatigue, chest tightness, rapid breathing, an elevated heart rate, and bluish lips due to oxygen deficiency. If left untreated, HAPE can progress rapidly and be fatal. Emergency treatment typically involves immediate descent to a lower altitude and the administration of oxygen. Medications to reduce lung pressure may also be necessary.

Experts recommend gradual ascent to high-altitude destinations to allow the body to acclimatize. For instance, spending a few days in a city like La Paz (around 3,650 meters or 11,975 feet) before proceeding to even higher locations, such as the salt flats, is advisable.

Following her daughter's death, Bella King has launched a GoFundMe campaign to establish The Jennifer Ashton HAPE Foundation. The foundation aims to fund a dedicated altitude sickness awareness website, develop educational resources for travelers, and assist remote hospitals in obtaining equipment and support for treating patients more effectively.

'We cannot change what happened to Jennifer,' Bella said. 'But if her story can help other people recognise the warning signs and seek urgent medical help sooner, then something positive can come from an unimaginable loss.' She added that travelers are often unaware of the health risks associated with high-altitude destinations, emphasizing that greater awareness could be life-saving.