A man has died after falling about 300 metres (1,000ft) down Ben Nevis, and 23 others had to be rescued in “ferocious” conditions during an eight-hour operation on Britain’s highest mountain.
After the 28-year-old man fell down an icy slope at Red Burn, on the west side of the mountain, members of an army climbing group tried to rescue him and two soldiers received minor injuries requiring hospital treatment.
An Army spokesperson said: “A small number of soldiers provided support to stranded walkers on Ben Nevis on Tuesday. They assisted the party until emergency and mountain rescue services were able to reach them.”
Twenty-three people, including about a dozen military personnel, either were airlifted off the 1,345-metre-high mountain by coastguard search and rescue helicopters from Prestwick and Inverness or were walked off the hill by some of the almost 40 rescuers who went to their aid.
The climber is the sixth person to have died in the Scottish mountains in the last two weeks, according to Police Scotland, with the search for a missing hill walker in Glencoe stood down on Wednesday because of weather conditions.
Members of Lochaber and Glencoe mountain rescue teams and a police mountain rescue team were sent to Ben Nevis after the alarm was raised at about 2.15pm on Tuesday.
Donald Paterson, the deputy leader of the Lochaber team, said the conditions on the mountain were “classic alpine: springlike in the glen but above the snow line everything is solid and an ice axe and crampons are essential, and knowing how to use them”.
He said: “This chap had fallen, conservatively, about 300 metres. Then others went to help him and they, too, ended up in trouble. One had a broken ankle and another multiple abrasions. As the night wore on, the conditions got worse.
“Members of the party could have been better prepared for the conditions. We would like to express our condolences to the deceased’s family and friends.”
Brian Bathurst, the deputy team leader of Glencoe mountain rescue team, said the conditions were “ferocious”.
“The snow fields are glazed over with ice and are quite lethal. One slip and you will go a long way,” he said. “The conditions last night were very difficult. As well as the ice, there were very strong winds and rain. The helicopters did an amazing job.”
The military group were believed to be from the Edinburgh area. It is not clear whether the man who died was a member of their party.
Lochaber mountain rescue team said the past five days had been “especially busy”, with 12 callouts and 26 casualties recovered.
“Unfortunately three of these shouts resulted in fatalities and we’d like to extend our heartfelt condolence to the friends and family of those involved at this difficult time.”
Insp Matt Smith, the Police Scotland mountain rescue coordinator, said: “The onset of spring has brought some more settled weather patterns and a welcome increase in daylight hours.
“We would urge those seeking to venture into the outdoors to take extra care. Challenging winter conditions still prevail in the hills, with large areas totally covered in snow and ice.”
