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Fifth climber dies in Cairngorms | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A man has fallen 200m (650ft) to his death in Coire an t-Sneachda on Cairn Gorm mountain - the fifth fatality in that area in two months - police said. | |
The man was climbing alone and the alarm was raised by two others who were in the corrie on Friday morning. | |
Mountaineering experts described the number of deaths in such a short period of time as the worst any can remember. | |
Four other climbers - aged 18, 20, 23 and 26 - have died in Coire an t-Sneachda since late November. | |
Northern Constabulary said the man involved in the latest accident was taken to Raigmore Hospital by an RAF helicopter where he was pronounced dead. | |
It has been the worst anyone can remember Tim Walker of Glenmore Lodge | |
John Allan, leader of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, said the team and police were still trying to piece together how the accident happened. | |
He said of the death toll in Coire an t-Sneachda: "This is very unusual - it has to be the worst. | |
"It is a pretty appalling statistic." | |
Mr Allan said it may down to a combination of factors such as how easily accessible the corrie is - it is about an hour's walk from ski centre car park - people not having adequate equipment and poor climbing conditions. | |
Tim Walker, principal of Glenmore Lodge mountain training centre, near Aviemore, said climate change has made climbing conditions more complex. | |
He said: "Northern Constabulary, Cairngorm Mountain Rescue team, Mountaineering Council of Scotland and Glenmore Lodge are all very shocked about what has happened here in the Northern Cairngorms. | |
"It has been the worst anyone can remember." | |
Mr Walker added: "Climbers are coming across new types of snow and ice and are climbing on rock as well." | |
University student | |
Aberdeen University student Richard Hardy, 18, from Milton in Hampshire, and graduate Graeme Cooper, 23, from Aberdeen, died in November. | Aberdeen University student Richard Hardy, 18, from Milton in Hampshire, and graduate Graeme Cooper, 23, from Aberdeen, died in November. |
In December, Neil Batchelor, 26, from Inverness, perished in a climbing accident. | In December, Neil Batchelor, 26, from Inverness, perished in a climbing accident. |
Bristol University mechanical engineering student Hugh Pitcairn, 20, died on 10 January, while climbing Crotched Gully in Coire an t-Sneachda. | Bristol University mechanical engineering student Hugh Pitcairn, 20, died on 10 January, while climbing Crotched Gully in Coire an t-Sneachda. |
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