Man killed by avalanche in the Scottish Highlands

The alarm was raised on Friday but bad weather hampered the search and the body was not found until Saturday

Snow covers the Scottish highlands (Reuters)

A climber who died in an avalanche in the western Highlands of Scotland has been found after being reported missing on Friday.

The alarm was raised when two men from Suffolk did not return from a climb on Coireag Dubh Mor in the Torridon region of the Highlands.

Mountain rescue teams and a coastguard helicopter from Stornoway searched for the men on the Friday night, but bad weather forced the rescuers to abandon their attempts.

When the search resumed on Saturday one of the men was discovered walking to find help for his climbing companion. Mountain Rescue also found the other man, but he had already died.

Police said that the pair had been caught in an avalanche and both men were experienced climbers and had all the equipment that could reasonably be expected.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “On the Friday night police were alerted to two overdue climbers who had undertaken climbs on Coireag Dubh Mor in the Torridon area of the western Highlands.

"Torridon Mountain Rescue Team was alerted and air assistance was provided by Stornoway coastguard helicopter.

"Poor weather conditions made for difficult search conditions.

"The search continued during Saturday. One of the climbers was traced in the early afternoon, walking out to summon assistance for his companion. Both had been avalanched.

"His companion was subsequently traced, but did not survive.”

In the past month the Highlands has been beset by high winds and heavy snow.

PA