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12th Mar 2019

Two climbers killed after avalanche on Ben Nevis

Marc Mayo

Police have confirmed the fatalities

Two people were killed on Tuesday after an avalanche on the UK’s tallest mountain Ben Nevis, police have confirmed.

The incident occurred just before noon when two people were killed and another two injured in a group of climbers. A Coastguard helicopter and air ambulance attended the scene along with three ambulances and a trauma team.

“We were made aware of an avalanche on Ben Nevis shortly after 11.50am this morning,” a Police Scotland spokesperson said before the fatalities were confirmed.

“Police Scotland is currently coordinating the mountain rescue response to this incident and is supporting partners at the scene. No further details are available at this time.”

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service rated the chance of an avalanche on the mountain as “high” on Monday.

Ben Nevis stands at over 4,400 feet (1,300m) in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, and is visited by more than 10,000 hikers every year.