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Glencoe avalanche: Church prayers for dead climbers Glencoe avalanche: 'Appalling tragedy' says Alex Salmond
(35 minutes later)
Prayers are to be offered in a church in Glencoe after an avalanche killed four climbers and left a fifth with head injuries. An avalanche on a Scottish mountain, which killed four climbers and left a fifth with head injuries, was an "appalling tragedy", Scotland's first minister has said.
The Reverend Moira Herkes, who will lead the prayers at St Munda's Church, in the Highlands, said it was "the worst accident... here for many years". Alex Salmond added: "Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have been lost.
Six climbers were caught up in the avalanche on Bidean Nam Bian mountain at about 14:00 GMT on Saturday. "To lose four people from a party of six is truly devastating."
Six climbers were caught up in the avalanche on Bidean Nam Bian in Glencoe at about 14:00 GMT on Saturday.
One man survived, and a woman is in hospital in Fort William.One man survived, and a woman is in hospital in Fort William.
The Reverend Moira Herkes, who will lead prayers at St Munda's Church, in the Highlands, said it was "the worst accident... here for many years".
"It is very distressing, because people come here for pleasure and when something like this happens it hurts everyone involved," said Ms Herkes."It is very distressing, because people come here for pleasure and when something like this happens it hurts everyone involved," said Ms Herkes.
"This is a very beautiful place, but at times it can be very dangerous.""This is a very beautiful place, but at times it can be very dangerous."
It is understood the group were descending from a peak on the south side of the valley, when the slope they were on broke away.It is understood the group were descending from a peak on the south side of the valley, when the slope they were on broke away.
Five of them were swept down the mountain and engulfed by ice and snow.Five of them were swept down the mountain and engulfed by ice and snow.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond called it an "appalling tragedy", adding: "Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have been lost.
"To lose four people from a party of six is truly devastating."
John Grieve, leader of Glencoe mountain rescue team, which co-ordinated the search, said the alarm was initially raised by two climbers - who were not part of the group of six - when they discovered one of the casualties lying in the snow.John Grieve, leader of Glencoe mountain rescue team, which co-ordinated the search, said the alarm was initially raised by two climbers - who were not part of the group of six - when they discovered one of the casualties lying in the snow.
Soon after, police were contacted by the party's male survivor who told them more people were missing.Soon after, police were contacted by the party's male survivor who told them more people were missing.
A major search operation, involving two mountain rescue teams and police dogs, located the bodies of the climbers.A major search operation, involving two mountain rescue teams and police dogs, located the bodies of the climbers.
The male member of the party is safe and well, while the surviving woman is in a serious condition in Belford hospital in Fort William.The male member of the party is safe and well, while the surviving woman is in a serious condition in Belford hospital in Fort William.
David Gibson, chief officer of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCoS), said: "This was a significant tragedy.David Gibson, chief officer of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCoS), said: "This was a significant tragedy.
"The thoughts of the MCoS are with all of those involved and the rescue services up there doing the job they do."The thoughts of the MCoS are with all of those involved and the rescue services up there doing the job they do.
"It is always difficult in these circumstances, but I think the advice we would give to people is to check the weather and avalanche forecasts before setting off, and to assess the risks.""It is always difficult in these circumstances, but I think the advice we would give to people is to check the weather and avalanche forecasts before setting off, and to assess the risks."
Bidean Nam Bian is a munro - a mountain higher than 3,000ft - with a number of different climbs. Bidean Nam Bian is a Munro - a mountain higher than 3,000ft - with a number of different climbs.
"It is a fantastic location to go climbing at this time of the year as it is very beautiful," Mr Gibson added."It is a fantastic location to go climbing at this time of the year as it is very beautiful," Mr Gibson added.
Mark Diggins, co-ordinator of the Scottish Avalanche Information Service, said weather conditions were fairly dry and there had been little snow over the last four days.Mark Diggins, co-ordinator of the Scottish Avalanche Information Service, said weather conditions were fairly dry and there had been little snow over the last four days.
But he added: "An avalanche is possible to be triggered by a single person."But he added: "An avalanche is possible to be triggered by a single person."
Anyone who is concerned about relatives climbing in the area is advised to contact Northern Constabulary's control room on 01463 715555.Anyone who is concerned about relatives climbing in the area is advised to contact Northern Constabulary's control room on 01463 715555.