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| Climbers 'caught' by avalanches | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Climbers have been caught up in three separate avalanches in the Highlands and Argyll. | |
| Rescuers have gone to the aid of two people reported to have been affected in Coire Na Ciste area of Ben Nevis. | Rescuers have gone to the aid of two people reported to have been affected in Coire Na Ciste area of Ben Nevis. |
| Police said a man swept away on Liathach in Torridon was found and airlifted to hospital for treatment. | |
| A third operation has been launched after an avalanche on Beinn an Dothaidh near Bridge of Orchy in Argyll. Police said there were possible casualties. | |
| The incidents come just hours after a warning from Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) about hazardous conditions on the hills. | The incidents come just hours after a warning from Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) about hazardous conditions on the hills. |
| Police in Fort William were alerted to the Ben Nevis incident by a member of the public at about 1047 GMT. | Police in Fort William were alerted to the Ben Nevis incident by a member of the public at about 1047 GMT. |
| Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, a RAF helicopter and six RAF mountain rescue team members have gone to the scene. | Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, a RAF helicopter and six RAF mountain rescue team members have gone to the scene. |
| Rescuers will take their own safety into account during the operation Police spokesman | Rescuers will take their own safety into account during the operation Police spokesman |
| The RAF said it was known that there had been an avalanche in the area, but it was not clear how many people were involved. | The RAF said it was known that there had been an avalanche in the area, but it was not clear how many people were involved. |
| A spokesman for Northern Constabulary said: "Reports suggest there may have been two people caught up in the avalanche. | A spokesman for Northern Constabulary said: "Reports suggest there may have been two people caught up in the avalanche. |
| "There is no confirmation at this time that the two individuals are actually buried in the snow and the situation will become clearer as the team makes its way onto the hill." | "There is no confirmation at this time that the two individuals are actually buried in the snow and the situation will become clearer as the team makes its way onto the hill." |
| He added: "Conditions are favourable at this time although there is still a risk of further avalanche. Rescuers will take their own safety into account during the operation and will continue to assess the situation." | He added: "Conditions are favourable at this time although there is still a risk of further avalanche. Rescuers will take their own safety into account during the operation and will continue to assess the situation." |
| Police were alerted to the Liathach avalanche by a friend of the climber at about 1147 GMT. | Police were alerted to the Liathach avalanche by a friend of the climber at about 1147 GMT. |
| He was later found conscious but cold and with an arm injury. A coastguard helicopter has airlifted him to hospital. | |
| Unusually calm and extremely cold weather has raised the risk of avalanches on Scotland's mountains, according the SAIS. | Unusually calm and extremely cold weather has raised the risk of avalanches on Scotland's mountains, according the SAIS. |
| Members of the service have been monitoring surface hoar, a phenomenon rarely seen in Scotland. | Members of the service have been monitoring surface hoar, a phenomenon rarely seen in Scotland. |
| The snow crystals form a slippery layer when buried under snow and are the cause of many avalanches in the Alps and North America, according to SAIS. | The snow crystals form a slippery layer when buried under snow and are the cause of many avalanches in the Alps and North America, according to SAIS. |
| Mark Diggins of SAIS said hoar surface had formed over about 10 days of calm and extremely cold weather. | Mark Diggins of SAIS said hoar surface had formed over about 10 days of calm and extremely cold weather. |
| Normally the crystals, which are created by vapour rising up from layers of deposited snow and then freezing on the surface, are destroyed in a thaw or by high winds. | Normally the crystals, which are created by vapour rising up from layers of deposited snow and then freezing on the surface, are destroyed in a thaw or by high winds. |