Man dies in fall from Ben Nevis

Published on 27/01/2013 00:00

A MAN has died after falling on the UK’s highest mountain – exactly a week after four other climbers lost their lives in the Scottish Highlands.

Police received a report that someone had fallen from Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis in the Highlands at around 11am yesterday.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue responded to the call and a helicopter from Prestwick was also dispatched.

Northern Constabulary later said the climber was rescued from Tower Gully but had sustained fatal injuries. The force said he is believed to have fallen around 100 metres.

Tower Ridge is one of several ridges protruding north-west from the summit plateau of Ben Nevis, which stands at 1,344 metres (4,409ft).

It is believed that the man who died was English and in his 20s or early 30s.

John Stevenson, team leader of Lochaber Mountain Rescue, said: “We think he was climbing on his own. We do not know which part of the Tower he fell from – but he was seen by two other climbers fall a long way.”

The tragedy comes after four climbers died on 3773ft Bidean Nam Bian in Glencoe last Saturday. A 24-year-old female climber, who survived last week’s incident, remained in hospital in Glasgow last night.