Family Sues Over Wilderness Expedition Death

The family of a Minnetonka native is suing the organizers of a wilderness expedition over the accidental death of the man during a hike in India.

Twenty-year-old Thomas Plotkin slipped on a rain slickened path in the Himalayas in September 2011 and fell 300 feet to the Gori Ganga River below. Plotkin’s body was never recovered.

In a wrongful death lawsuit moved from Hennepin County District Court to federal court this week, Plotkin’s family contends the trip organizer, National Outdoor Leadership School, failed to properly train and protect Plotkin, a college student. The lawsuit asks for at least $75,000 from the company, which trains students of all ages in outdoor skills and leadership.

Company spokesman Bruce Palmer tells the Star Tribune they try as best as possible to help people understand the risks involved.