A young British man has died in a climbing accident at the 'volcano from hell' in Ecuador. Gil Banks, 25, was attempting to scale the Ricu Picincha volcano near Quito in the South Amercian country on Sunday.
Mr Banks was born in London and grew up in Glasgow before emigrating with his family to Israel. His death has been confirmed by the Israeli Embassy in Ecuador, GlasgowLive reports.
They wrote: "The Embassy of Israel in Ecuador laments the death of young Israeli Gil Banks, who suffered a fall while attempting to scale the Rucu Pichincha volcano, located in Quito-Ecuador, on Sunday, August 14.
"The embassy is carrying out the corresponding process following the death of the 25-year-old Israeli. We express our solidarity for this profound loss and extend our most sincere condolences to family and friends."
Born in London to a Glaswegian father and English mother, Banks grew up in Glasgow and attended Mearns Castle High School in Newton Mearns, before he and his family emigrated to Caesarea in Israel.
Banks had been traveling in South America after finishing his army service in an elite unit, The Times of Israel reports.
Friend and triathlon coach Eduardo Finkelstein said: "I remember him, with his wild red hair and great smile. He was an extraordinary runner. My sincerest condolences for the family at this time.
"You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time."
Childhood friend Oz Hochman added: "It was a great honour and fun for me to be part of his journey that was supposed to end completely differently. I can't believe I'm separating from you but, on the other hand, I know that experiences with you will accompany me until the end of the world.'"
The huge Pinchincha volcano tops out at a 4,784m high and its most recent eruption was in August 1998, leaving Quito covered in a few inches of ash.
It earned its hellish nickname in the 18th century when French geographer Charles-Marie de La Condamine spent 23 days on the summit members of the French Geodesic Mission.
