AMADOR COUNTY-
As the death toll from the Nepal quake continues to rise, survivors are feeling lucky to be alive.
One of the survivors is a photographer from Amador County named Charleton Churchill.
Churchill went to Nepal to photograph a couple’s wedding on Mount Everest. Before the group could get to their destination, the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck.
“The whole village was shaking. It was quiet at first then got louder and louder and louder,” said Churchill during a video chat.
Churchill described the chaos and panic in the moments following the shaking.
“Everybody rushed out of their rooms, they were running, people were screaming, sirens were going off, walls were collapsing,” Churchill said.
Churchill said going to Mount Everest to shoot a wedding was something he’s dreamed of for years. In an instant, that once in a lifetime journey became a life threatening situation.
Unlike thousands, Churchill and his group were out of harm’s way.
“We’re feeling blessed that were alive … that’s the main thing, we’re safe,”Churchill said.
Meanwhile in Amador County, Churchill’s wife and three children are counting down the days until he comes home.
They’ve been able to communicate with Charleton through text messages and social media.
He’s expected to return the same day as originally planned, May 10. Until then, the purpose of the trip has changed from adventure to charity.
“They just have a really big heart to help the people over there,” said Churchill’s wife, Kelly.
The group will be helping people in the Nepalese village until they can come home.
Charleton and his group have set up a fundraising page that has already raised close to $10,000.
