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Two Britons die on Norwegian peak Two Britons die on Norwegian peak
(about 1 hour later)
Two British cross-country skiers have frozen to death in bad weather on a Norwegian mountain, police said. Two British cross-country skiers have frozen to death in bad weather on a Norwegian mountain, local police say.
A third skier is in a stable condition in hospital after suffering severe hypothermia. The father of one of them was in a stable condition in hospital after suffering severe hypothermia.
The man was only alive thanks to a Red Cross patrol that found him by chance, the mountain rescue service said.The man was only alive thanks to a Red Cross patrol that found him by chance, the mountain rescue service said.
The three men, who worked for a pharmaceuticals company in Scotland, began their trek through the western Hardangervidda region on Friday.The three men, who worked for a pharmaceuticals company in Scotland, began their trek through the western Hardangervidda region on Friday.
Conditions at the time were described as cold and foggy conditions. Conditions at the time were described as cold and foggy.
The identities of the men and how they died are not yet clear, but they were believed to be 18 and 50 years old. The identities of the men have not been released, but they were believed to be aged 18 and 50 years old.
The survivor, who police said was in his 40s, was taken to hospital in the west coast city of Bergen by helicopter.The survivor, who police said was in his 40s, was taken to hospital in the west coast city of Bergen by helicopter.
They were heading for a hut, a cottage, and they got lost. It was very foggy weather, it was snowy and windy Oddvar NordfonnBergen policeThey were heading for a hut, a cottage, and they got lost. It was very foggy weather, it was snowy and windy Oddvar NordfonnBergen police
All three were thought to be from Inverness-shire.All three were thought to be from Inverness-shire.
LifeScan Scotland, which manufactures products for diabetics, confirmed the three men were employees at its plant in Inverness.LifeScan Scotland, which manufactures products for diabetics, confirmed the three men were employees at its plant in Inverness.
A spokeswoman said: "Everyone at LifeScan is deeply saddened by the news that three people who work with us were involved in the skiing tragedy in Norway over the weekend.A spokeswoman said: "Everyone at LifeScan is deeply saddened by the news that three people who work with us were involved in the skiing tragedy in Norway over the weekend.
"Our primary concern is the support of the families and our employees at this difficult time.""Our primary concern is the support of the families and our employees at this difficult time."
The survivor was able to tell rescuers that he and his fellow skiers were from Scotland.The survivor was able to tell rescuers that he and his fellow skiers were from Scotland.
Oddvar Nordfonn, of Bergen police, said the group had got into difficulty as they made their way towards a mountain cottage.Oddvar Nordfonn, of Bergen police, said the group had got into difficulty as they made their way towards a mountain cottage.
"They were heading for a hut, a cottage, and they got lost. It was very foggy weather, it was snowy and windy," he said."They were heading for a hut, a cottage, and they got lost. It was very foggy weather, it was snowy and windy," he said.
He added that the survivor was taken to hospital by helicopter while the bodies of the dead men were driven by car to the hospital.He added that the survivor was taken to hospital by helicopter while the bodies of the dead men were driven by car to the hospital.
Further treatmentFurther treatment
The survivor was suffering from hypothermia but was slowly warmed up "in a medical way".The survivor was suffering from hypothermia but was slowly warmed up "in a medical way".
He is now in a good physical condition but is "mentally in shock", Mr Nordfonn said.He is now in a good physical condition but is "mentally in shock", Mr Nordfonn said.
The man is still receiving hospital treatment.The man is still receiving hospital treatment.
Bernt Apeland, of the Norwegian Red Cross, said the trio may not have had the equipment to deal with the "changeable" weather.Bernt Apeland, of the Norwegian Red Cross, said the trio may not have had the equipment to deal with the "changeable" weather.
He said: "Of course it was very strong and harsh weather and I don't think they were properly equipped for that kind of weather.He said: "Of course it was very strong and harsh weather and I don't think they were properly equipped for that kind of weather.
"The terrain is not very challenging but the climate is very changeable and that's what you need to look out for in that kind of area.""The terrain is not very challenging but the climate is very changeable and that's what you need to look out for in that kind of area."
The party was accompanied for part of the journey by two Norwegian skiers who turned back when the weather deteriorated.The party was accompanied for part of the journey by two Norwegian skiers who turned back when the weather deteriorated.
Aslak Braatveit, one of the Norwegians, said: "We could never imagine they were going to continue after the weather changed. It was getting much worse."Aslak Braatveit, one of the Norwegians, said: "We could never imagine they were going to continue after the weather changed. It was getting much worse."
The survivor was found buried in the snow, frozen and unconscious next to a ski track, by a Red Cross team on a training exercise.The survivor was found buried in the snow, frozen and unconscious next to a ski track, by a Red Cross team on a training exercise.
The bodies of the men were found in the snow nearby.The bodies of the men were found in the snow nearby.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the reports and we are following up on that. Consular officials are looking into it but we can't confirm anything at the moment."A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the reports and we are following up on that. Consular officials are looking into it but we can't confirm anything at the moment."
Hardangervidda is Europe's largest mountain plateau and is home to thousands of reindeer and a large national park that is a popular tourist attraction.Hardangervidda is Europe's largest mountain plateau and is home to thousands of reindeer and a large national park that is a popular tourist attraction.