British climber, 24, falls to his death from Matterhorn in Switzerland

Two other Britons coming down from same ridge in early hours uninjured, police say

Matterhorn mountain, in Switzerland. (AFP/Getty Images)

A British mountain climber has fallen to his death while descending Matterhorn in Switzerland.

The 24-year-old, who has not been identified, is said to have fallen from the famed mountain after a chunk of rock came loose as he came down from the Hoernli ridge.

The incident happened at about 2.40am on Monday at an altitude of about 3,380 metres.

The Valais regional police said two other Britons coming down from the same ridge were uninjured.

Spokesman Steve Leger said he had no details about why the climbers had been scaling the peak at that hour.

The local prosecutor’s office did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment.

Associated Press contributed to this report.