Everest doc at death's door

A DOCTOR has told how he began having health problems in the "death zone" of the world's highest mountain.

By The Newsroom

Published 13th Dec 2010, 10:21 BST

Updated 14th Dec 2010, 10:12 BST

Dr Nigel Williams climbed Mount Everest as part of a research project on the effects of altitude.

NHS Lothian's associate medical director for primary care said while the experience was a positive one, it wasn't all plain sailing as he endured the symptoms of cerebral oedema.

He said: "I was still well above 8000m when I began having difficulties.

"That is what people called the death zone. If you can't walk down from there yourself, you have to be left to die.

"You can't be carried or rescued in any way from that altitude.

"It was a remarkable and memorable experience."