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Scottish avalanche victim was from Northern Ireland | Scottish avalanche victim was from Northern Ireland |
(about 14 hours later) | |
One of the four climbers killed in an avalanche on a Scottish mountain has been named as Una Rachel Finnegan, 25, from County Londonderry, | One of the four climbers killed in an avalanche on a Scottish mountain has been named as Una Rachel Finnegan, 25, from County Londonderry, |
She had been working in Edinburgh as a junior doctor. | |
Six climbers were caught up in the avalanche on Bidean Nam Bian in Glencoe at about 14:00 GMT on Saturday. | Six climbers were caught up in the avalanche on Bidean Nam Bian in Glencoe at about 14:00 GMT on Saturday. |
Nicola Madden, vice-principal of Dalriada School in Ballymoney described her former pupil as a "very bright and talented young student". | |
"She was caring, considerate, was a great role model and she was actively involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in school," Ms Madden said. | |
"She and her sister both were actively involved in the scheme and probably started their love for the mountains in the school. | |
"It's very said for it to end in such a tragic manner." | |
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond called it "an appalling tragedy" and said: "To lose four people from a party of six is truly devastating". | Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond called it "an appalling tragedy" and said: "To lose four people from a party of six is truly devastating". |
Three of the other victims have been named as, Tom Chesters, 28, who was living in Leeds and 24-year-old Christopher Bell, from Blackburn. | Three of the other victims have been named as, Tom Chesters, 28, who was living in Leeds and 24-year-old Christopher Bell, from Blackburn. |
The name of the fourth victim, a woman, has not been released yet. | The name of the fourth victim, a woman, has not been released yet. |
A fifth climber, a 24-year-old woman from the Durham area, is in a critical condition in a Glasgow hospital with serious head injuries. | A fifth climber, a 24-year-old woman from the Durham area, is in a critical condition in a Glasgow hospital with serious head injuries. |
The sixth member of the party, who survived the avalanche in Glencoe, said they were all "experienced winter walkers". | The sixth member of the party, who survived the avalanche in Glencoe, said they were all "experienced winter walkers". |
The Reverend Moira Herkes of St Munda's Church, in the Highlands, said it was "the worst accident here for many years". | The Reverend Moira Herkes of 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. |
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. |
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. |
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." |
John Armstrong, who is originally from Newtownards in County Down, is now a mountain rescue trainer in Scotland. | |
He was in the Glencoe area at the weekend and said that during winter in Scotland, even experienced climbers can be "caught out". | |
"Although there hasn't been much actual snowfall in Scotland over the last week, it's been very windy, Mr Armstrong said. | |
"It's the wind that transports the snow and deposits it in these localised areas, creating very unstable wind slabs." | |
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. |