THREE climbers died and another was in hospital after an avalanche on Ben Nevis yesterday. Police Scotland were alerted to the incident shortly after 11.50am. Initially, they said two climbers had died in the incident in an area known as Number 5 Gully and two were injured.
However, the force confirmed last night that one of the injured climbers had since died. The other was flown to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Police Scotland coordinated the mountain rescue response, with volunteers from Lochaber Mountain Rescue and Glencoe Mountain Rescue teams attending. Support at the scene was also received from the Coastguard and Maritime Agency and Scottish Ambulance Service.
Two people had already been killed on the UK’s highest mountain this year.
Police Scotland’s Inspector Isla Campbell, based in Fort William, said: “This has been a challenging operation and I want to pass on my thanks to the mountain rescue teams, colleagues at the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Scottish Ambulance Service for their assistance in extremely difficult conditions.
“I would also like to praise members of the public and staff from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service who were on scene at the time and provided immediate assistance.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier said the incident was “absolutely tragic news”. She tweeted: “My thoughts are very much with the bereaved and injured, and my gratitude as always for the work of our emergency services, Mountain Rescue and Coastguard.”
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes said: “First and foremost my thoughts are with the families of the climbers. I’m sure that the hearts of everybody in the local area go out to those who are grieving.
“Sincere gratitude, as always, goes to the volunteers in Lochaber and Glencoe Mountain Rescue Teams. They are ready and willing to go out in all weathers whenever the call comes.
“We have fantastic terrain in Lochaber that attracts thousands of climbers and walkers every year, and it is desperately sad when people come to harm.”
On New Year’s Day, a 21-year-old German woman, a student at Bristol University, died after she fell from a ridge on Ben Nevis In December, Patrick Boothroyd, 21, from West Yorkshire, died after falling in the Tower Gully area.
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