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Climbers rescued after avalanche Climbers rescued after avalanche
(10 minutes later)
A major rescue operation has found three climbers who were lost after an avalanche on a Highlands mountain.A major rescue operation has found three climbers who were lost after an avalanche on a Highlands mountain.
Two helicopters were scrambled to Buchaile Etive Mor in Glencoe after police were alerted at about 1200 GMT.Two helicopters were scrambled to Buchaile Etive Mor in Glencoe after police were alerted at about 1200 GMT.
The BBC understands two climbers were taken to the Belford Hospital in Fort William and are in a serious condition.The BBC understands two climbers were taken to the Belford Hospital in Fort William and are in a serious condition.
One has since been transferred to a hospital in Glasgow for treatment. Search dogs were also brought in to help with the rescue. One has since been transferred to a hospital in Glasgow. A number of injured people are still receiving treatment on the mountain.
Insp Pamela Ross from Northern Constabulary, said some casualties had been airlifted to hospital and rescue teams had also located a third climber who had been missing.
As far as I'm aware at the moment, we're not looking for anyone else Insp Pamela RossNorthern Constabulary "My understanding is, having spoken to the officers at the scene, is that everybody is now accounted for," she said.
"As far as I'm aware at the moment, we're not looking for anyone else.
"But the rescue operation is not over - there are still people on the mountain, they're being treated there and there are still police officers and members of the Mountain Rescue Team there with some casualties."
First on the scene was the RAF rescue helicopter, Rescue 137, which had been diverted from an exercise in the area.First on the scene was the RAF rescue helicopter, Rescue 137, which had been diverted from an exercise in the area.
The second helicopter, Rescue 177, was scrambled from the Royal Navy station at HMS Gannet near Prestwick.The second helicopter, Rescue 177, was scrambled from the Royal Navy station at HMS Gannet near Prestwick.
'Prone to collapse''Prone to collapse'
An air ambulance was scrambled from Glasgow to take one of the climbers from the hospital in Fort William back to Glasgow for further treatment. But one helicopter had to be grounded because of blizzard conditions.
The Avalanche Information Service website warned that the avalanche hazard for Saturday would be "considerable".The Avalanche Information Service website warned that the avalanche hazard for Saturday would be "considerable".
It stated: "Snowpack stability will remain poor on all steep North-North-West through North to East aspects above 850m where avalanches are likely.It stated: "Snowpack stability will remain poor on all steep North-North-West through North to East aspects above 850m where avalanches are likely.
"Weak cornices will continue to grow over these locations and be prone to collapse.""Weak cornices will continue to grow over these locations and be prone to collapse."
Northern Constabulary Police has been co-ordinating the operation.Northern Constabulary Police has been co-ordinating the operation.