Image copyright PA Image caption Police at the scene of Ben Nevis rescue effort

Two of three climbers who died in an avalanche on Ben Nevis on Tuesday were from France and the other from Switzerland, police have confirmed.

Swiss authorities had earlier confirmed the death of one Swiss national and that another was injured.

The Frenchmen were aged 41 and 32 and the Swiss man who died was 43.

Mathieu Biselx, the 30-year-old survivor of the avalanche in Number 5 Gully, has been receiving treatment in hospital in Glasgow.

His condition was described as "stable".

Mr Biselx is the president of the Sion section of the Swiss Alpine Club. His companions were also club members.

A Swiss embassy spokeswoman told the BBC Scotland news website: "Swiss authorities are in contact with the Scottish authorities as well as with the families in Switzerland."

'Suddenly we heard a noise'

According to the Swiss newspaper, Le Nouvelliste, all four men lived in Valais in the Swiss Alps and had left for Scotland on Sunday.

Mr Biselx told the newspaper: "It's terrible, they're not here anymore. They won't see their families again."

He added: "We weren't very high up and suddenly we heard a noise.

"We looked round and two seconds later we were carried away by heavy, compact snow. When I regained consciousness only my head and an arm were sticking out of the snow."

Image copyright PA Image caption Donald Paterson, of Lochaber MRT, said the avalanche in Number 5 Gully was seen by other climbers

The avalanche on the mountain, near Fort William, is one of the worst Scottish climbing accidents in recent years.

Twenty-nine volunteer mountain rescuers were involved in the rescue operation as well as a group of military personnel from the Joint Services Mountain Training Centre.

Lochaber MRT said conditions on the mountain were "very difficult with very high winds, snow and thunder and lightning".

Image caption A Coastguard helicopter involved in the rescue effort

The weather hampered the efforts of Coastguard helicopter crews, despite "some excellent flying", the team said.

The alarm was raised by a Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) forecaster and a guide climbing who were in the area.

SAIS assesses potential avalanche risk for Lochaber, where Ben Nevis is located, and five other mountain areas.

'Extremely challenging conditions'

Donald Paterson, Lochaber MRT deputy team leader, told BBC Scotland the avalanche occurred above where the party of climbers were.

He said the SAIS forecaster had seen a "plume" coming out of the gully, but could not see if anyone was in the path of the snow slide from their position.

Mr Paterson said: "The second confirmation (of the avalanche) came from a guide, who was on the opposite side of the coire and witnessed the slide coming down and the people below.

"Initially it was thought there were two people, but when we reached them it was confirmed there were four in the party."

Image caption Mountain rescue teams, the coastguard, police and ambulance service were involved in the rescue effort

Insp Isla Campbell, of Police Scotland, said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved in the avalanche on Ben Nevis yesterday.

"Formal identification will take place in due course and the next of kin of those involved have now all been informed.

"I would again like to thank the volunteers from Lochaber and Glencoe mountain rescue teams and the members of the public who assisted with this incident, in what was extremely challenging conditions."

Insp Campbell urged walkers and climbers to carefully plan their trips into the hills, and to check weather and avalanche forecasts.

She added: "We do not want to put anyone off enjoying the great outdoors activities we have here in Scotland but we would ask that people plan their routes, take sensible precautions and consider whether it is safe to climb a particular route.

"The environment of the Scottish mountains is by its very nature an unpredictable one and it is important that people take as many precautions and plan ahead as much as possible if they are going to go climbing, especially at this time of year."

Brian Tregaskis, secretary of the Lochaber MRT, added: "The members of the Lochaber and Glencoe Mountain Rescue teams did an incredible job in very difficult conditions.

"We'd like to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those who lost their lives and we hope the surviving casualty makes a full and speedy recovery."

Lochaber MRT said the incident was the third avalanche in Number 5 Gully since Saturday.

On Saturday evening, a party of four climbers were "avalanched". One of the group was swept down the gully but was not injured.

Are you in the area? Have you been affected by what's happened? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:</s>Three climbers who died following an avalanche on the UK’s highest mountain were part of a Swiss climbing group, it is understood.

A fourth climber is in hospital with serious injuries after the avalanche “wiped out” the climbing party he was part of.

Swiss media reported that the group were members of the Club Alpin Suisse de Sion (Swiss Alpine Club, Sion).

Speaking from hospital, Mathieu Biselx told Swiss newspaper Le Nouvelliste: “It’s terrible, they’re not here anymore. They won’t see their families again.”

One of the dead climbers is understood to be Swiss and the others are thought to be French.

The group were caught by the river of snow and ice in a gully on Ben Nevis as Storm Gareth blew in with strong winds on Tuesday morning, triggering a huge search and recovery operation in “brutal conditions”, a rescuer said.

One of the climbers, who are said to have all been young men, died “pretty instantaneously”, while another could not be saved despite receiving CPR for half an hour, Donald Paterson, deputy team leader of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (MRT), said.

A third climber died while being taken down the mountain, while the fourth was flown to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said: “The FDFA confirms the death of a Swiss national during an avalanche in Scotland.

“Another Swiss national was injured. The Swiss representation in Great Britain is in contact with local authorities.

“The FDFA, in Central Office, is in contact with the victims’ relatives.”

Mr Paterson told the Daily Telegraph: “We did all we possibly could – we had every available person we could get hold of. There were four stretcher parties.

“We carried the bodies all the way down. It is a terrible tragedy. They just got wiped out by the avalanche.

Lochaber MRT said it received a call out from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service, which recorded a “large” avalanche at No 5 Gully at 11.45am.

The team, along with Glencoe MRT and around 29 volunteer mountain rescuers who happened to be training in the area, raced to the scene.

“Conditions were very difficult with very high winds, snow and thunder and lightning, which restricted the support the Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopters could provide despite some excellent flying,” Lochaber MRT said.

Police Scotland were also called to the incident and helped co-ordinate the rescue effort.

Fort William Inspector Isla Campbell said it had been a “challenging operation”.

“I want to pass on my thanks to the mountain rescue teams, colleagues at the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Scottish Ambulance Service for their assistance in extremely difficult conditions.

“I would also like to praise members of the public and staff from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service who were on-scene at the time and provided immediate assistance.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said news of the fatalities was “absolutely tragic”, while Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes said it was “heartbreaking”.

Ben Nevis, near Fort William in the western Highlands, is a popular destination for experienced climbers, attracting 125,000 visitors each year.

Tuesday’s incident follows two recent fatal accidents on the mountain, which at 1,345m is the UK’s highest.

On New Year’s Day, a 21-year-old German woman, who was a student at Bristol University, died after she fell from a ridge she had been climbing with three other people.

She had been hiking on what is known as the “ledge route” when she fell around 500ft.

In December, Patrick Boothroyd, 21, from West Yorkshire, died after falling in the Tower Gully area.</s>Three of four people swept away by an avalanche on Ben Nevis in Scotland have died, authorities have announced. Among the fatalities is one Swiss citizen.

The Swiss foreign affairs ministry confirmed the news to the Keystone-SDA agency on Wednesday morning.

The avalanche happened on Tuesday afternoon on Ben Nevis in the Grampian mountains in Scotland, the highest mountain in the UK.

A rescue operation put in place by authorities initially reported two injured and two dead, before a third succumbed to injuries. The sole survivor, also a Swiss, was transported by helicopter to hospital in Glasgow.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her condolences: “my thoughts are very much with the bereaved and injured”, she said, regretting the “absolutely tragic news”.

Donald Peterson, deputy team leader of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, told the Daily Telegraph newspaper that the men were hit by a “massive” avalanche that fell 1,500 feet (457 metres) on top of them.

Though not staggeringly high, at 1,344 metres, accidents on Ben Nevis are not infrequent. Last December, a British climber fell to his death; on New Year’s Day a young German also fell fatally from a ridge.</s>Three climbers who died following an avalanche on Ben Nevis were French and Swiss nationals who were part of a Swiss climbing group.

A fourth climber is in hospital with serious injuries after the avalanche 'wiped out' the party on the UK's highest mountain yesterday.

One of the victims was Swiss while the other two were French. They were aged 33, 42 and 43 and were described as 'exemplary people' by fellow club members who said their skills were 'almost professional'.

Meanwhile survivor and Swiss Alpine Club of Sion President Mathieu Biselx, who was airlifted to hospital in Glasgow following the incident, today described the horror moment the avalanche struck from his bed in intensive care.

Father-of-one Mr Biselx, 30, said the group was 'swept away by snow' despite 'not being very high' up the mountain.

Mr Biselx, 30, told newspaper Le Nouvelliste: 'We were not very high and all of a sudden we heard a noise. We turned around and two seconds later, we were swept away by heavy, compact snow.

'I lost consciousness and when I woke up, only my head and one arm came out of the snow mass.

'I am seriously injured both legs. My back, one shoulder and one arm are affected, but I'll get out of it. While my friends, fathers. This is a terrible drama.'

A former member of the club added: 'This is the worst day of my life. Our sadness is boundless. It's horrible. It should not happen to them.

'They were seasoned mountaineers. Really exemplary people. They had been doing the mountain for 20 years. They spent all their weekends there. They were almost professionals.'

Speaking from hospital, Mathieu Biselx told a Swiss newspaper Le Nouvelliste: 'It's terrible, they're not here anymore. They won't see their families again.'

The group were caught by the river of snow and ice in a gully on Ben Nevis as Storm Gareth blew in with strong winds on Tuesday morning, triggering a huge search and recovery operation in 'brutal conditions', a rescuer said.

Donald Paterson, deputy team leader of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (MRT), added one of the climbers died 'pretty instantaneously', while another could not be saved despite receiving CPR for half an hour.

A third climber died while being taken down the mountain, while the fourth was flown to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said: 'The FDFA confirms the death of a Swiss national during an avalanche in Scotland.

'Another Swiss national was injured. The Swiss representation in Great Britain is in contact with local authorities.

'The FDFA, in Central Office, is in contact with the victims' relatives.'

Mr Paterson told the Daily Telegraph: 'We did all we possibly could - we had every available person we could get hold of. There were four stretcher parties.

'We carried the bodies all the way down. It is a terrible tragedy. They just got wiped out by the avalanche. It was brutal conditions.'

Lochaber MRT said it received a call out from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service, which recorded a 'large' avalanche at No 5 Gully at 11.45am.

The team, along with Glencoe MRT and around 29 volunteer mountain rescuers who happened to be training in the area, raced to the scene.

'Conditions were very difficult with very high winds, snow and thunder and lightning, which restricted the support the Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopters could provide despite some excellent flying,' Lochaber MRT said.

Police Scotland were also called to the incident and helped co-ordinate the rescue effort.

Fort William Inspector Isla Campbell said it had been a 'challenging operation'.

'I want to pass on my thanks to the mountain rescue teams, colleagues at the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Scottish Ambulance Service for their assistance in extremely difficult conditions.

'I would also like to praise members of the public and staff from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service who were on-scene at the time and provided immediate assistance.'

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said news of the fatalities was 'absolutely tragic', while Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes said it was 'heartbreaking'.

Ben Nevis, near Fort William in the western Highlands, is a popular destination for experienced climbers, attracting 125,000 visitors each year.

The incident at Number 5 Gully on Britain's tallest mountain was reported to police at 11.50am on Tuesday and a mountain rescue team accompanied by at least two helicopters were immediately dispatched.

One witness said he was outside a mountain shelter when he saw the avalanche cascading down the gully. 'There were huge powder clouds,' he wrote on UK Climbing Forum.

'[Other climbers] had attempted a climb earlier, and had aborted because of the conditions weren't aware of anyone else out climbing today on the Ben.'

At around 3.20pm it was announced that two people had lost their lives and two more had been injured amid perilous conditions on the 4411foot-high peak.

The injured and dead climbers are still being stretchered off Ben Nevis by mountain rescue teams in poor conditions, which have forced a Coastguard helicopter to stay grounded. At least one of the injured is thought to be close to death.

Two other people have died on Ben Nevis so far this year.

Ambre Boucher climbed Ben Nevis with friends on Friday and said they were 'very lucky' to complete the climb in the conditions.

The group set off from a local youth hostel, taking the mountain track to hike to and from the summit between 9am and 5pm.

'It was cold, heavy winds, snow flurries,' the 41-year-old nurse from South Wales said.

'There was a whiteout at the top which got a bit scary, our footprints were being covered, but we managed to find our way down with another climber.

'There was an announcement over the weekend, I believe.

'We saw the risks yesterday. We still went and we were very lucky.'

After hearing the news on their way back to Wales, she said the group are 'thanking our lucky stars' and 'hope (the missing climbers) are all accounted for now.'

A report from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service warned the risk of avalanches would be high on Ben Nevis today.

The report said: 'As the freezing level rises during the night, there will be a brief period of high instability with avalanches occurring on many steep North, North-East and East aspects above 2,900 feet.'

Two people have died on Ben Nevis in recent months, and another six have died on other Scottish mountain ranges in the winter as a whole.

None of the deaths were believed to be caused by avalanches. During the winter of 2012-13, eight people died because of avalanches.

A 21-year-old Bristol University student died on Nevisafter she fell from a ridge she had been climbing on New Year's Day.

On December 16, Patrick Boothroyd, 21, from West Yorkshire, died after a 1,500ft fall on the mountain.

The latest mountain victim of this winter was a climber rescued after spending a freezing night on another Highland peak on Saturday.

At first it was feared that the 57-year-old and his 49-year-old companion had been caught up in a massive avalanche in Glen Coe.

But it later emerged that they were found several hundred yards away from where it was thought they had been climbing.

Police Scotland said that both climbers were part of a larger group from Nottinghamshire.

The older man was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he died.

His companion was taken to Belford Hospital in Fort William where his condition is described as 'stable and non life threatening.'

They had both been climbing Boomerang Gully on 3658-ft high Stob Coire nan Lochan. It was feared they had been caught up in a large avalanche in the gully which was recorded on Friday - they day of their ascent.

A six hour search - involving nearly 20 members of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team and a Coastguard helicopter - ended in dangerous conditions at 2am on Saturday with no sign of the pair.

But a massive resumed search, involving four mountain rescue teams, and two helicopters found the men - the first at noon and the other 30 minutes later.

John Stevenson, leader of Lochaber MRT, said: 'The conditions are very treacherous at the moment. We have gone from no snow - even on the top of Ben Nevis - to fresh snow, making it very avalanche prone, especially the areas where there is wind slab.

'If you have got caught up in an avalanche - after about 15 minutes you are in trouble, but people have survived for many hours, depending on the snow and finding an air pocket. But you have to be very lucky. The trouble with Scottish snow is that it is usually wet and can freeze like concrete around you.'

Ironically the fewest number of main winter avalanches have been officially recorded in Scotland's mountains.

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service said that a lack of snow had produced less than 60 snow slides by the end of February - the lowest in the organisation's 30 years.

Mark Diggins, co-ordinator of the SAIS, said by this stage he would have expected more than 200 avalanches. But by today there have been just 74.

'It's very low, but it reflects the winter we have had with little snow,' he said.

'It has been a very warm winter. It has also been the driest winter in over 70 years. However winter is back at least this week with low temperatures, especially with added wind chill.

'January and February is usually the peak time for avalanches, so this winter is very low.

'The changing conditions have made forecasting more challenging because the dynamics are changing with more extremes of weather.

'We would usually get 250-300 avalanches a season. The most we have had is over 350 - but not this year.'

The SAIS began on December 14 and ends on April 15.

The country's vital winter avalanche service for walkers and climbers still warned of the risk of human-triggered snow slides.

It said 20 people in total were caught up in such avalanches during its 2017/18 season.

Some walkers and climbers came close to white death on Scotland's mountains last winter, according to its report.

They had 'very lucky escapes' after being caught in avalanches.

The service recorded 261 avalanches during its 2017/18 season.

Of this number, 230 were natural and/or cornice triggered. Cornices are large overhanging ledges of snow.

Thirty avalanches were triggered by people who were walking, skiing or climbing in the mountains.

There were no fatalities due to avalanche activity recorded during the season, SAIS said.

But it added: 'Some avalanche occurrences were minor, in that small releases occurred, but others were more significant and resulted in people being carried down by the avalanche, some with very lucky escapes.'

Every winter, SAIS assesses avalanche hazards and provides daily information on the stability of snowpack in the six mountain areas.

The areas are Lochaber, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, Southern Cairngorms, Northern Cairngorms and Torridon.

Hillwalkers, climbers and skiers use the information to help them plan trips.

Ben Nevis, near Fort William in the western Highlands, is a popular destination for experienced climbers, attracting 125,000 visitors each year. 



How Britain's highest peak saw two other deaths in recent months

A Bristol University student died after a 500ft 'horrific' fall down Ben Nevis on New Year's Day - the second death there in a fortnight.

The female climber, 21, was on the Ridge Route between the summit of neighbouring Carn Dearg and Ben Nevis on a climb with three others.

But at around 3300ft up she slipped on ice and fell down the mountain to her death.

Her friends, also studying at Bristol University, were stuck on the ridge above and later helped down by a mountain rescue team.

Cardiff University student Patrick Boothroyd, 21, died on Britain's tallest mountain in December after tumbling 1,500ft when a ledge of snow collapsed, but his friend Leo Grabowski miraculously survived.

A University of Bristol spokesman said: 'It is with great sadness that we can confirm that on 1 January 2019 one of our students died in an accident whilst on a hiking trip to Ben Nevis in Scotland. The student was part of a larger group of students who had organised this new year trip to the Highlands.

'Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this student. This tragic accident will be deeply felt across our university community, and we will make sure we have support available to all those affected.'

The tragedy came only two weeks after the death of another young climber on Ben Nevis.

Cardiff University students Patrick Boothroyd and Leo Grabowski were scaling Tower Gully on the 4,413ft peak on December 16 when a ledge of snow collapsed, causing them to fall 1,00ft.

Mr Boothroyd, 21, suffered a serious head injury while Mr Grabowski survived the fall with only broken bones.

Despite being dazed and disoriented, the 28-year-old immediately rang 999 and did his best to help his friend.

He covered him with a survival bag and huddled next to him, shielding him from the snow and wind. They were rescued after an hour but Mr Boothroyd could not be saved.</s>LONDON (AP) — Police in Scotland say the three people who died in an avalanche on Britain's highest peak were two Frenchman and a Swiss national.

The three perished Tuesday in an avalanche on Ben Nevis. Two died immediately while the third victim died before rescuers could get him to the hospital.

Police said Wednesday that a fourth person who was injured was also a Swiss national. He is in stable condition at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. The men ranged in age from 30 to 43.

Ben Nevis, located in the Scottish highlands, stands nearly 1,344 meters (4,409 feet) above sea level.</s>Three climbers who died following an avalanche on Ben Nevis on Tuesday were Swiss nationals, the BBC understands.

A fourth climber was seriously injured and has been receiving treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.

The avalanche in Number 5 Gully was witnessed by a Scottish Avalanche Information Service team member and a climbing guide, who raised the alarm.

The incident on the mountain, near Fort William, was one of the worst Scottish climbing accidents in recent years.

Twenty-nine volunteer mountain rescuers were involved the rescue operation as well as a group of military personnel from the Joint Services Mountain Training Centre.

Lochaber MRT said conditions on the mountain were "very difficult with very high winds, snow and thunder and lightning".

The weather hampered the efforts of Coastguard helicopter crews, despite "some excellent flying", the team said.

The alarm was raised by the avalanche information service forecaster and a guide climbing in the area.

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service assesses potential avalanche risk for Lochaber, where Ben Nevis is located, and five other mountain areas.

Lochaber MRT said the incident was the third avalanche in Number 5 Gully since Saturday.

On Saturday evening, a party of four climbers were "avalanched". One of the group was swept down the gully but was not injured.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her thoughts were with the bereaved and injured following the "absolutely tragic news".

SNP MSP Kate Forbes added: "I'm sure that the hearts of everybody in the local area go out to those who are grieving. I sincerely hope that there are no further casualties."

She also expressed gratitude to the mountain rescue team volunteers who were "ready and willing to go out in all weathers whenever the call comes".</s>A party of climbers has been caught up in an avalanche on Ben Nevis, police have said.

Inverness Coastguard helicopter and an air ambulance have been sent to the scene.

Police Scotland said several people were involved in the incident in a gully on the mountain.

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service had assessed the potential avalanche risk in Lochaber, where Ben Nevis, as "high" on Monday.

Police Scotland said: "We were made aware of an avalanche on Ben Nevis shortly after 11:50 this morning.

"Police Scotland is currently co-ordinating the mountain rescue response to this incident and is supporting partners at the scene. No further details are available at this time"

This is a breaking news story - more to follow.</s>Two dead after avalanche on Ben Nevis

Two dead after avalanche on Ben Nevis

A view of the north ridge of Ben Nevis in Scotland. File pic

Two people have died and two have been injured after an avalanche on the UK's tallest mountain, Ben Nevis.

Police initially said three climbers had died before revising the number to two.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: "Police were informed that the avalanche had occurred in Number 5 Gully area at around 11:50am.

"We can sadly confirm that two people have died and two people have been injured.

She confirmed that mountain rescue volunteers from Lochaber and Glencoe were being assisted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Scottish Ambulance Service.

An air ambulance, three ambulances and a trauma team were sent to the scene.

Tuesday's avalanche hazard was high, according to the Scottish Avalanche Information Service.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called the news "tragic" in a Twitter post.

It is not the first incident to occur on the mountain this winter.

On New Year's Day, a woman died after falling 500ft whilst climbing the "ledge route", and in December a student from Cardiff University died after falling in the Tower Gully part of the mountain.</s>A young climber is being treated for serious injuries after an avalanche on the UK's highest mountain "wiped out" a climbing party, killing three of them.

The group were caught by the river of snow and ice in a gully on Ben Nevis as Storm Gareth blew in with strong winds on Tuesday morning, triggering a huge search and recovery operation in "brutal conditions", a rescuer said.

One of the climbers, who are said to have all been young men, died "pretty instantaneously", while another could not be saved despite receiving CPR for half an hour, Donald Paterson, deputy team leader of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (MRT), said.

A third climber died while being taken down the mountain, while the fourth was flown to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

Mr Paterson told the Daily Telegraph: "We did all we possibly could - we had every available person we could get hold of. There were four stretcher parties. We carried the bodies all the way down. It is a terrible tragedy. They just got wiped out by the avalanche.

Lochaber MRT said it received a call out from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service, which recorded a "large" avalanche at No 5 Gully at 11.45am.

The team, along with Glencoe MRT and around 29 volunteer mountain rescuers who happened to be training in the area, raced to the scene.

"Conditions were very difficult with very high winds, snow and thunder and lightning which restricted the support the Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopters could provide despite some excellent flying," Lochaber MRT said.

Police Scotland were also called to the incident and helped coordinate the rescue effort.

Fort William Inspector Isla Campbell said it had been a "challenging operation".

"I want to pass on my thanks to the mountain rescue teams, colleagues at the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Scottish Ambulance Service for their assistance in extremely difficult conditions.

"I would also like to praise members of the public and staff from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service who were on scene at the time and provided immediate assistance."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said news of the fatalities was "absolutely tragic", while Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes said it was "heartbreaking".

Ben Nevis, near Fort William in the western Highlands, is a popular destination for experienced climbers, attracting 125,000 visitors each year.

Tuesday's incident follows two recent fatal accidents on the mountain, which at 1,345m is the UK's highest.

On New Year's Day, a 21-year-old German woman, who was a student at Bristol University, died after she fell from a ridge she had been climbing with three other people.

She had been hiking on what is known as the "ledge route" when she fell around 500ft.

In December, Patrick Boothroyd, 21, from West Yorkshire, died after falling in the Tower Gully area.</s>Two climbers have died and two have been injured in an avalanche on Ben Nevis, police have said.

Inverness Coastguard helicopter, an air ambulance, three road ambulances and a trauma team have been sent to the scene.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team was supported by members of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team in the rescue effort.

The alarm was raised to the incident in Number 5 Gully at about 11:50.

On Monday, the Scottish Avalanche Information Service assessed the potential avalanche risk in Lochaber, where Ben Nevis is located, as "high".

Police Scotland said: "We were made aware of an avalanche on Ben Nevis shortly after 11:50 this morning.

"Police Scotland is currently co-ordinating the mountain rescue response to this incident and is supporting partners at the scene. No further details are available at this time."

The Scottish Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 12:22 to attend an incident on Ben Nevis.

"We dispatched three ambulances, a helimed resource and our trauma team to the scene."

Ben Nevis, which is Britain's highest mountain, has been the scene of a number of climbing accidents already this winter.

A 21-year-old German woman, who was a student at Bristol University, died after she fell from a ridge she had been climbing with three other people on New Year's Day.

In December Patrick Boothroyd, 21, from West Yorkshire died on the mountain.
An avalanche on Ben Nevis kills two French nationals and a Swiss national. A fourth climber is injured and is receiving treatment at a hospital in Glasgow.