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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Search resumes for missing skier in Scottish Highlands | Search resumes for missing skier in Scottish Highlands |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The search for an experienced skier missing after being caught up in a major avalanche in the Scottish Highlands has resumed. | The search for an experienced skier missing after being caught up in a major avalanche in the Scottish Highlands has resumed. |
| The man was skiing in an off-piste area behind Glencoe ski centre with his friend when the avalanche struck at about 1pm on Saturday. | The man was skiing in an off-piste area behind Glencoe ski centre with his friend when the avalanche struck at about 1pm on Saturday. |
| He was swept away during the incident and efforts to find him have so far been unsuccessful. | He was swept away during the incident and efforts to find him have so far been unsuccessful. |
| Rescuers conceded on Saturday evening that it was unlikely the man could have survived. | Rescuers conceded on Saturday evening that it was unlikely the man could have survived. |
| About 30 people from Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue teams, police, the mountain resort's ski patrol and a helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth all helped with the operation in the Etive Glades. | About 30 people from Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue teams, police, the mountain resort's ski patrol and a helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth all helped with the operation in the Etive Glades. |
| John Grieve, leader of Glencoe Mountain Team, said the avalanche travelled about 1,000ft down the rocky face of the slope. | John Grieve, leader of Glencoe Mountain Team, said the avalanche travelled about 1,000ft down the rocky face of the slope. |
| "The avalanche has actually gone into a gully, and in some places the snow is about 40ft deep," he said. | "The avalanche has actually gone into a gully, and in some places the snow is about 40ft deep," he said. |
| "Our guys have been out digging deep trenches and probing from there, as our poles are obviously not long enough to do it from the surface of the snow. | "Our guys have been out digging deep trenches and probing from there, as our poles are obviously not long enough to do it from the surface of the snow. |
| "The missing man is an extremely experienced skier … we will continue looking until we find him." | "The missing man is an extremely experienced skier … we will continue looking until we find him." |
| Grieve added that, given the circumstances, it was unlikely the skier would be found alive. | Grieve added that, given the circumstances, it was unlikely the skier would be found alive. |
| "It's not like a normal ski slope where it is mainly smooth and straight," he said. "There are a lot of rocks around and it is more dangerous." | "It's not like a normal ski slope where it is mainly smooth and straight," he said. "There are a lot of rocks around and it is more dangerous." |
| The missing skier's friend is not thought to have been hurt in the incident. | The missing skier's friend is not thought to have been hurt in the incident. |
| Mark Fulton, 25, from Gourock, Inverclyde, was skiing all day with his family on the slopes at the Glencoe Ski Centre and saw the rescue mission unfold. | Mark Fulton, 25, from Gourock, Inverclyde, was skiing all day with his family on the slopes at the Glencoe Ski Centre and saw the rescue mission unfold. |
| "I was up there from about 10am and at lunchtime we went in to get something to eat at the cafe and we saw an emergency helicopter hovering about," he said. | "I was up there from about 10am and at lunchtime we went in to get something to eat at the cafe and we saw an emergency helicopter hovering about," he said. |
| "It looked as though it was coming in to land near the bottom of the hill. When we were leaving later I saw police and mountain rescue vans all gathered as well. | "It looked as though it was coming in to land near the bottom of the hill. When we were leaving later I saw police and mountain rescue vans all gathered as well. |
| "I didn't actually know there had been an avalanche until I was driving home and heard it on the radio. | "I didn't actually know there had been an avalanche until I was driving home and heard it on the radio. |
| "It's just not something you think about when you're going out skiing, you never think something like that will happen to you – it's like when you get on a plane, you don't think it's going to crash. | "It's just not something you think about when you're going out skiing, you never think something like that will happen to you – it's like when you get on a plane, you don't think it's going to crash. |
| "I just hope the person is found safe and well." | "I just hope the person is found safe and well." |
| Glencoe Mountain Resort posted on its Facebook page on Saturday: "(We) regret to say that an experienced off-piste skier skiing outwith the ski area was caught in a major avalanche this afternoon." | Glencoe Mountain Resort posted on its Facebook page on Saturday: "(We) regret to say that an experienced off-piste skier skiing outwith the ski area was caught in a major avalanche this afternoon." |
| Off-piste skiing, also referred to as "back country" skiing, involves the use of unofficial slopes which are not patrolled or maintained. | Off-piste skiing, also referred to as "back country" skiing, involves the use of unofficial slopes which are not patrolled or maintained. |
| A forecast on the sportscotland avalanche information service website yesterday placed Glencoe at "considerable risk" of an avalanche. | A forecast on the sportscotland avalanche information service website yesterday placed Glencoe at "considerable risk" of an avalanche. |
| Meanwhile, police said an ice climber was airlifted off Ben Nevis on Friday after injuring his leg. | Meanwhile, police said an ice climber was airlifted off Ben Nevis on Friday after injuring his leg. |
| He was taken to Belford hospital in Fort William by a helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth at about 4.45pm. | |
| In a separate incident, a 48-year-old man was rescued when he injured himself while out walking in the Cuillin Hills, on the Isle of Skye on Friday. | In a separate incident, a 48-year-old man was rescued when he injured himself while out walking in the Cuillin Hills, on the Isle of Skye on Friday. |
| He was airlifted to hospital in Glasgow and is said to be in a stable condition. | He was airlifted to hospital in Glasgow and is said to be in a stable condition. |