A 28-year-old man has died after a horror fall of nearly 1,000ft with military personnel also involved in multiple rescues on Ben Nevis.
Two soldiers were taken to hospital in Fort William after rescue crews battled to save 17 climbers stuck on the UK’s highest mountain.
Lochaber and Glencoe mountain rescue teams were sent to 4,413ft high Ben Nevis on Tuesday.
The eight-hour rescue operation was sparked after the man plunged to his death at Red Burn on the west side of the mountain. He and his party had on their way back down when the tragedy happened.
Two soldiers, aged 29 and 37, who had gone to help the stricken group, suffered minor injuries on their way back down the mountain and were taken to hospital.
Man who died not in military
It is believed the soldiers involved were from the Edinburgh area. It has been confirmed by rescuers the man who died was not a member of the military.
A police spokesman said: “Around 2.15pm on Tuesday, March 8, police were made aware of concerns for a number of people in difficulty on Ben Nevis.
“Emergency services and mountain rescue colleagues attended to assist 17 people off the mountain.
“We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, whilst a further two men, aged 29 and 37, were treated for minor injuries in hospital.
“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a full report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
An Army spokeswoman said: “A small number of soldiers provided support to stranded walkers on Ben Nevis on Tuesday. They assisted the party until emergency and mountain rescue services were able to reach them.”
Nearly 40 members of Lochaber and Glencoe mountain rescue teams – together with members of a police mountain rescue team – worked to get the 17 off the hill, with some airlifted by coastguard helicopters from Prestwick and Inverness or walked off.
Snow fields ‘quite lethal’
Donald Paterson, deputy team leader of Lochaber MRT, said: “The conditions were classic Alpine conditions – springlike in the glen but above the snow line everything is solid and an ice axe and crampons are essential and knowing how to use them.
“But this chap had fallen conservatively about 300 metres (984ft). Then others went to help him and they too ended up in trouble. One had a broken ankle and another multiple abrasions.
“As the night wore the conditions got worse. Members of the party could have been better prepared for the conditions.
“We would like to express our condolences to the deceased’s family and friends.”
Brian Bathurst, deputy team leader of Glencoe MRT, said the conditions were “ferocious”.
He said: “The snow fields are glazed over with ice and are quite lethal. One slip and you will go a long way.
“The conditions last night were very difficult – as well as the ice there were very strong winds and rain. The helicopters did an amazing job.”
Busy time for Ben Nevis MRTs
On Tuesday morning, instructor company Climb When You’re Ready shared pictures of a rescue effort the day before, where a man was taken to hospital after falling and “losing a lot of skin to the granular snow”.
Also on Tuesday morning, before receiving the death on Ben Nevis and the call to help the 17 people stuck on the mountain, Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team had already posted on Facebook describing the “alpine conditions” during a busy time of year.
The post said: “Another three call outs for us yesterday [Monday] saw visits from all our Scottish based helicopters and just for good measure Helimed joined in transferring one casualty on for further care.
“Some very admirable flying from R 948 (you just forget how big those S92’s are, as we rarely see them now on our rescues).
“So just a massive thanks to R948, R151, R199 and not forgetting the helimed crew. Thanks also to everyone on the hill who assisted with all incidents, you know who you are.”
The Nevis Range ski resort has also said its gondola will not be operating on Wednesday due to “very strong winds” on the mountain.