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| Glencoe avalanche: prayers said for killed climbers | Glencoe avalanche: prayers said for killed climbers |
| (3 months later) | |
| Prayers have been said in the Scottish Highlands for four climbers who were swept to their deaths in an avalanche. | Prayers have been said in the Scottish Highlands for four climbers who were swept to their deaths in an avalanche. |
| The climbers were among a party of six on Bidean Nam Bian, a mountain near Glencoe. | The climbers were among a party of six on Bidean Nam Bian, a mountain near Glencoe. |
| It is believed they were descending from a peak on the south side of the valley on Saturday when the snow-covered slope they were crossing broke away, engulfing five of them and sending them hundreds of feet down the mountain. | It is believed they were descending from a peak on the south side of the valley on Saturday when the snow-covered slope they were crossing broke away, engulfing five of them and sending them hundreds of feet down the mountain. |
| The Rev Moira Herkes, who led a service at St Munda's church in nearby Ballachulish on Sunday, told the congregation: "We include in our prayers thoughts for the deceased in yesterday's tragic accident on the mountain and their families. Somehow life must continue. We accept the challenges of nature as part of our living." | The Rev Moira Herkes, who led a service at St Munda's church in nearby Ballachulish on Sunday, told the congregation: "We include in our prayers thoughts for the deceased in yesterday's tragic accident on the mountain and their families. Somehow life must continue. We accept the challenges of nature as part of our living." |
| She added: "We also pray for the people who are injured, both physically and emotionally. And we give our thanks to those prepared to risk their lives in the saving of others, and do so with a sense of commitment and through thinking beyond themselves." | She added: "We also pray for the people who are injured, both physically and emotionally. And we give our thanks to those prepared to risk their lives in the saving of others, and do so with a sense of commitment and through thinking beyond themselves." |
| Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue teams as well as police were scrambled and, following a major search, two men and two women were found dead, buried beneath the snow. | Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue teams as well as police were scrambled and, following a major search, two men and two women were found dead, buried beneath the snow. |
| Another man who stayed with the teams to help the search survived, while a woman was taken to Belford hospital in Fort William with serious head injuries. The four dead climbers have yet to be named. | Another man who stayed with the teams to help the search survived, while a woman was taken to Belford hospital in Fort William with serious head injuries. The four dead climbers have yet to be named. |
| Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond, called it "an appalling tragedy", saying "to lose four people from a party of six is truly devastating". | Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond, called it "an appalling tragedy", saying "to lose four people from a party of six is truly devastating". |
| He thanked the police and mountain rescue teams, adding: "Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have been lost." | He thanked the police and mountain rescue teams, adding: "Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have been lost." |
| Police are expected to interview the surviving man on Sunday to find out exactly what happened during the tragedy. | Police are expected to interview the surviving man on Sunday to find out exactly what happened during the tragedy. |
| The woman, a 24-year-old from the Durham area, was moved to the Southern General in Glasgow and remains in a critical condition, the Northern Constabulary said. Members of her family were with her. | The woman, a 24-year-old from the Durham area, was moved to the Southern General in Glasgow and remains in a critical condition, the Northern Constabulary said. Members of her family were with her. |
| The next of kin of those who died have been told and their names were expected to be released later, it added. | The next of kin of those who died have been told and their names were expected to be released later, it added. |
| Superintendent Philip MacRae said: "Our thoughts are with the families and all those who are affected by this tragic incident. Members of the climbing party were from different parts of the UK and a priority for us has been to trace and inform all next of kin. They have now been informed and we have family liaison officers in place. | Superintendent Philip MacRae said: "Our thoughts are with the families and all those who are affected by this tragic incident. Members of the climbing party were from different parts of the UK and a priority for us has been to trace and inform all next of kin. They have now been informed and we have family liaison officers in place. |
| "I would like to express my thanks to the members of the Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue teams who assisted with the emergency phase of this incident. I am grateful for their expertise and rapid response." | "I would like to express my thanks to the members of the Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue teams who assisted with the emergency phase of this incident. I am grateful for their expertise and rapid response." |
| Jonathan Hart, chairman of the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland, said: "This was a tragic event and I speak on behalf of all the mountain rescue team members involved when I say our hearts go out to the casualties and the families of all those involved. | Jonathan Hart, chairman of the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland, said: "This was a tragic event and I speak on behalf of all the mountain rescue team members involved when I say our hearts go out to the casualties and the families of all those involved. |
| "People come from all over the UK and the world to experience and enjoy the mountain scenery and sports in this part of Scotland. Mountain rescue teams train for these kind of incidents and indeed there was a national Scottish mountain rescue course on this weekend on avalanche rescue, taking place in the Nevis range. | "People come from all over the UK and the world to experience and enjoy the mountain scenery and sports in this part of Scotland. Mountain rescue teams train for these kind of incidents and indeed there was a national Scottish mountain rescue course on this weekend on avalanche rescue, taking place in the Nevis range. |
| "The Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue team members and instructors on the course attended the rescue, which was co-ordinated by police and led on the scene by Glencoe mountain rescue team who were assisted by search and rescue dogs. | "The Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue team members and instructors on the course attended the rescue, which was co-ordinated by police and led on the scene by Glencoe mountain rescue team who were assisted by search and rescue dogs. |
| "We are grateful to Royal Navy Rescue 177 who transferred rescue team members from the valley floor to the locus of the avalanche. This enabled a very rapid response to the incident in terms of locating all the casualties. | "We are grateful to Royal Navy Rescue 177 who transferred rescue team members from the valley floor to the locus of the avalanche. This enabled a very rapid response to the incident in terms of locating all the casualties. |
| "Everything possible was done, as part of an outstanding multi-agency response, to increase the opportunities for survival of the casualties and take them off the mountain before the hours of darkness. It is very sad that there has been such a tragic outcome." | "Everything possible was done, as part of an outstanding multi-agency response, to increase the opportunities for survival of the casualties and take them off the mountain before the hours of darkness. It is very sad that there has been such a tragic outcome." |
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