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| Two bodies found after avalanche | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The bodies of two climbers have been found following three separate avalanches in the Highlands and Argyll. | |
| Rescuers found the bodies in Coire Na Ciste area of Ben Nevis following a large snow slide. | |
| Police also said a man swept away on Liathach in Torridon has been found and airlifted to hospital for treatment. | |
| A third search is on after an avalanche on Beinn an Dothaidh near Bridge of Orchy in Argyll. Police said there could be casualties. | |
| The incidents came just hours after a warning from Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) about hazardous conditions on the hills. | The incidents came 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. | He was later found conscious but cold and with an arm injury. A coastguard helicopter has airlifted him to hospital. |
| Rarely seen | Rarely seen |
| 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. |
| In January, three people lost their lives in one of Scotland's most serious avalanche incidents, which happened on Buachaille Etive Mor at Glencoe. | In January, three people lost their lives in one of Scotland's most serious avalanche incidents, which happened on Buachaille Etive Mor at Glencoe. |
| Brothers John Murphy, 63, from Portrush and Eamonn Murphy, 61, from Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, along with Brian Murray, 46, of Monifieth in Angus, died. | Brothers John Murphy, 63, from Portrush and Eamonn Murphy, 61, from Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, along with Brian Murray, 46, of Monifieth in Angus, died. |
| The three killed were members of the An Teallach Mountaineering Club and among nine people caught by the avalanche. | The three killed were members of the An Teallach Mountaineering Club and among nine people caught by the avalanche. |