Man dies and 17 rescued in ‘ferocious’ conditions on Ben Nevis | Scotland

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A man has died after falling about 300 meters (1,000ft) down Ben Nevis, and 17 others had to be rescued in “ferocious” conditions during an eight-hour operation on Britain’s highest mountain.

After a 28-year-old man fell down an icy slope at Red Burn, on the west side of the mountain, members of an army group went to his aid but ended up requiring multiple rescues themselves.

Seventeen people, including about a dozen military personnel, either were airlifted off the 1,345-metre-tall (4,413ft) mountain by coastguard search and rescue helicopters from Prestwick and Inverness or were we walked off the hill by some of the almost 40 rescuers who went to their aid.

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 team 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 ax 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 individual who died was a member of their party.

It was the third death in the Highlands in a week, and hopes are fading for a missing hill walker.

Lochaber mountain rescue team said the past five days had been “especially busy”, with 12 callouts and 26 result 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.”

It added: “It would be remiss if we didn’t stress just how important it is to be adequately prepared for winter in the hills. Having the ability to competently navigate with map and compass as well as having and being able to use crampons and axes are vital skills to have if you’re venturing into the hills.”

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