Bodies of two travellers found on volcano

Two bodies found in Nicaragua are thought to be those of a Briton and American last seen more than two weeks ago when they set off to scale the 4,600ft Maderas volcano.

Nicholas Roth, 28, an Oxford-educated lawyer from north London, and Jordan Ressler, 23, an American from San Diego, were reported missing by an innkeeper at the volcano's base, 60 miles south-east of Managua, the capital, when they did not return as expected.

Local officials said a forensic examination would be needed to determine how the men died, but Mr Ressler's family said that the travellers had apparently fallen to their deaths after venturing off the main trail and attempting to traverse a steep ledge.

Mr Roth, who worked in London, flew to Nicaragua on 13 November for a three-week adventure. He and Mr Ressler arrived at Ometepe island on 15 November and set out for the volcano two days later.

Mr Ressler was the son of the San Diego artist Vivien Ressler. Vivien and her husband, Jeffrey Ressler, a lawyer, travelled to Nicaragua after his disappearance. Mr Roth's father, Brian, also flew out to help with the search.

Rescuers had to contend with heavy fog during the initial days of the search, as helicopters and dogs were brought in to locate the men. The volcano has a lagoon-filed crater and dense vegetation with many ravines and gullies.

An army infantry unit found evidence that the two tourists slept on the summit of the volcano. A private rescue crew took over the search on 29 November after Nicaraguan army troops withdrew.

Mr Roth's parents, from Totteridge, north London, were too upset to speak. His brother, Nigel, said: "Nicholas was an experienced traveller, loved to visit unusual places and help people less fortunate than himself."