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Alps avalanche: Dead British climbers named | Alps avalanche: Dead British climbers named |
(40 minutes later) | |
Two British climbers killed in an avalanche in the French Alps have been named by the Foreign Office. | Two British climbers killed in an avalanche in the French Alps have been named by the Foreign Office. |
John Taylor and Steve Barber were among nine people killed on Mont Maudit, near Chamonix, on Thursday. | John Taylor and Steve Barber were among nine people killed on Mont Maudit, near Chamonix, on Thursday. |
It is believed they were from Upper Poppleton, near York, and were climbing to raise money for a local hospice. | |
A third Briton killed in the avalanche was named on Thursday evening as experienced climber Roger Payne, who had been working as a mountain guide. | |
Mr Payne, originally from Hammersmith, was a former general secretary of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). | Mr Payne, originally from Hammersmith, was a former general secretary of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). |
The trio had been part of a 28-strong group traversing Mont Maudit before dawn in an attempt to reach the summit of Mont Blanc. | |
According to the Prefecture de la Haute-Savoie, two people from Spain, three Germans and one Swiss were the others killed in the avalanche. | According to the Prefecture de la Haute-Savoie, two people from Spain, three Germans and one Swiss were the others killed in the avalanche. |
A church service is to be held in Chamonix on Saturday in memory of the dead climbers, French Interior Minister Manuel Valls said. | |
'Deeply saddened' | 'Deeply saddened' |
Ian Gillies, the Tory councillor for Upper Poppleton, said the news of the two men's deaths was "devastating". | Ian Gillies, the Tory councillor for Upper Poppleton, said the news of the two men's deaths was "devastating". |
"It is a very close-knit community and I believe they [the climbers] had even stronger links with the school." | |
James Alexander, Labour leader of City of York Council, said: "I am deeply saddened by the news that two Poppleton residents lost their lives in Thursday's avalanche in Chamonix. | James Alexander, Labour leader of City of York Council, said: "I am deeply saddened by the news that two Poppleton residents lost their lives in Thursday's avalanche in Chamonix. |
"I would like to offer their families and friends my condolences and offer any support and assistance we can provide at this difficult time." | "I would like to offer their families and friends my condolences and offer any support and assistance we can provide at this difficult time." |
The party is believed to have reached 4,000m (13,120ft) when the avalanche struck. | The party is believed to have reached 4,000m (13,120ft) when the avalanche struck. |
The alarm was sounded at 05:25 local time (04:25 BST) by an injured climber on the route, which is a popular route for tourists trekking towards Mont Blanc. | |
The French authorities say the avalanche was caused by heavy snow and was triggered by strong winds. They described the avalanche as "the most deadly" in recent years. | |
Nine other climbers of French, German and Swiss nationality were airlifted to hospital in Sallanches with minor injuries. | |
Mont Maudit - meaning the cursed mountain - is the third-highest peak in the Mont Blanc massif range, rising to 4,465m. | Mont Maudit - meaning the cursed mountain - is the third-highest peak in the Mont Blanc massif range, rising to 4,465m. |
'Climb to live' | 'Climb to live' |
The first Briton to be named - Mr Payne - has been described as "larger than life" by his friend of 35 years, Alan Hinkes. | The first Briton to be named - Mr Payne - has been described as "larger than life" by his friend of 35 years, Alan Hinkes. |
The fellow climber told the BBC: ""You do push [the risks] to the back of your mind... we do not climb to die, we climb to live. It does enhance our lives. | The fellow climber told the BBC: ""You do push [the risks] to the back of your mind... we do not climb to die, we climb to live. It does enhance our lives. |
"Roger was doing what he wanted to do... he was helping two people to get to the top... he will be sorely missed." | "Roger was doing what he wanted to do... he was helping two people to get to the top... he will be sorely missed." |
Britain's most famous mountaineer said on Friday there was no way the avalanche at Moudit could have been foreseen. | Britain's most famous mountaineer said on Friday there was no way the avalanche at Moudit could have been foreseen. |
Sir Chris Bonington told ITV: "There's no way that anyone could have predicted it. Roger was an expert on avalanche danger, he actually taught it, instructed it, but that doesn't make any difference, they are unpredictable." | Sir Chris Bonington told ITV: "There's no way that anyone could have predicted it. Roger was an expert on avalanche danger, he actually taught it, instructed it, but that doesn't make any difference, they are unpredictable." |
The climb, thought to be the second most popular path to the summit of Mont Blanc, was an "absolutely standard" route which Sir Chris completed in 2010. | The climb, thought to be the second most popular path to the summit of Mont Blanc, was an "absolutely standard" route which Sir Chris completed in 2010. |
"Probably during the season, 30, 40, 50 people per day, right through the season, maybe more, follow that route." | "Probably during the season, 30, 40, 50 people per day, right through the season, maybe more, follow that route." |
But according to British mountaineer Kenton Cool, the area was known as something of an avalanche "blackspot". | But according to British mountaineer Kenton Cool, the area was known as something of an avalanche "blackspot". |
Two other Britons had been reported missing following the avalanche, but were confirmed safe and well after presenting themselves to police in Chamonix on Thursday. | Two other Britons had been reported missing following the avalanche, but were confirmed safe and well after presenting themselves to police in Chamonix on Thursday. |