Ben Nevis search for missing climbers suspended again
A helicopter carrying out aerial searches for two experienced climbers missing on Ben Nevis has been called away to help after an avanlanche on Creag Meagaidh.
A helicopter carrying out aerial searches for two experienced climbers missing on Ben Nevis has been called away to help after an avanlanche on Creag Meagaidh.
Mountain rescuers had taken to a helicopter to continue efforts to trace Rachel Slater, 24, and Tim Newton, 27, from Bradford in West Yorkshire. It's after snow conditions prevented a full-scale search on the ground, which has hampered efforts to find the pair.
However the chopper was called away this afternoon after a report of casualties following an avalanche in north Lochaber at Creag Meagaidh.
Two mountain rescue teams and search dogs were involved in a rescue effort.
Emergency services had been alerted to the area at around 3.15pm.
In addition to the Coastguard helicopter, Cairngorm and Lochaber Mountain Rescue Teams were also involved in the operation which was co-ordinated by Police Scotland.
Two casualties have been located and airlifted to hospital in Fort William.
Meanwhile, efforts to locate the missing pair from Bradford continue to be hampered by snow.
The climbers were reported overdue on Monday. It is believed they had been camping behind the Charles Inglis Clark memorial hut on the north side of the mountain.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team described search conditions as "very challenging", with 80mph to 90mph winds.
Seasoned climber Ms Slater is a graduate of Manchester University and is employed as an environmental consultant near Bradford.
Mr Newton, originally from Leicester, also lives in Bradford and studied physics at the universities of Manchester and Leeds, according to his Facebook profile.
Friends and fellow climbers have been posting messages on social media praising the search teams and voicing hope that the couple will be found safe.
One wrote on the UKClimbing forum: "Great, enthusiastic young climbers. Such good role models for the sport.
"I've seen them out and about in the past and follow their logbooks cos they climb routes I'd like to. I hope they are found ok. I'm crossing everything and thinking of them and the search teams."
Anyone who was climbing or walking in the Ben Nevis area over the weekend and saw the couple is being urged to contact police on 101.