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Alps avalanche: Dead British climbers named | Alps avalanche: Dead British climbers named |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two British climbers from the same North Yorkshire village have been named as among those killed in an avalanche in the French Alps. | |
John Taylor, 48, and Steve Barber, 47, from Upper Poppleton, west of York, were among nine people who died on Mont Maudit, near Chamonix, on Thursday. | |
They were climbing to raise money for St Leonard's Hospice. | |
A third Briton killed in the avalanche was named on Thursday evening as experienced climber Roger Payne. | |
Mr Payne, originally from Hammersmith, west London, was a former general secretary of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). | Mr Payne, originally from Hammersmith, west London, 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. | 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. | A church service is to be held in Chamonix on Saturday in memory of the dead climbers, French Interior Minister Manuel Valls said. |
'Great sadness' | 'Great sadness' |
Estelle O'Hara, headteacher of Poppleton Ousebank School, wrote in a letter to parents: "It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that two of the climbers killed in yesterday's avalanche... were parents from Poppleton Ousebank. | Estelle O'Hara, headteacher of Poppleton Ousebank School, wrote in a letter to parents: "It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that two of the climbers killed in yesterday's avalanche... were parents from Poppleton Ousebank. |
"The children have been informed and school staff have been supporting them throughout the day, providing a caring shoulder and answering any questions. | "The children have been informed and school staff have been supporting them throughout the day, providing a caring shoulder and answering any questions. |
"We understand that the climb was to raise money for St Leonard's Hospice and so we will be collecting on their behalf." | "We understand that the climb was to raise money for St Leonard's Hospice and so we will be collecting on their behalf." |
St Leonard's was founded in 1985 in York and provides care for people with life-threatening illnesses. | St Leonard's was founded in 1985 in York and provides care for people with life-threatening illnesses. |
James Alexander, Labour leader of City of York Council, said he was deeply saddened by the deaths of Mr Taylor and Mr Barber. | James Alexander, Labour leader of City of York Council, said he was deeply saddened by the deaths of Mr Taylor and Mr Barber. |
"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 one for people trekking towards Mont Blanc. | The alarm was sounded at 05:25 local time (04:25 BST) by an injured climber on the route, which is a popular one for people trekking towards Mont Blanc. |
The French authorities say the avalanche was caused by heavy snow and was triggered by strong winds. They described it as "the most deadly" in recent years. | The French authorities say the avalanche was caused by heavy snow and was triggered by strong winds. They described it as "the most deadly" in recent years. |
Jean-Baptiste Estachy, local commander of the French Police, told a press conference on Friday: "It is difficult to foresee such kinds of avalanche. | |
"The guide knows the dangers and risks of avalanche, especially during July and August." | "The guide knows the dangers and risks of avalanche, especially during July and August." |
Speaking alongside Mr Estachy, the British ambassador to France Sir Peter Ricketts, thanked the French authorities for their support. | |
'Climb to live' | 'Climb to live' |
"The consular team is here to support victims' families who have travelled to Chamonix," Sir Peter added. | "The consular team is here to support victims' families who have travelled to Chamonix," Sir Peter added. |
Nine other climbers of French, German and Swiss nationality were airlifted to hospital in Sallanches with minor injuries. | 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. |
Mr Payne has been described as "larger than life" by his friend of 35 years, Alan Hinkes. | Mr Payne has been described as "larger than life" by his friend of 35 years, Alan Hinkes. |
The 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 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." |
Mr Payne is understood to have been living in Leysin, Switzerland, with New Zealand-born wife Julie-Ann Clyma. | Mr Payne is understood to have been living in Leysin, Switzerland, with New Zealand-born wife Julie-Ann Clyma. |
Sir Chris Bonington told ITV on Friday: "There's no way that anyone could have predicted [the avalanche]. Roger was an expert on avalanche danger... but that doesn't make any difference, they are unpredictable." | Sir Chris Bonington told ITV on Friday: "There's no way that anyone could have predicted [the avalanche]. Roger was an expert on avalanche danger... but that doesn't make any difference, they are unpredictable." |
The BMC said about 20,000 people a year climb Mont Blanc, and that the mountain had been deemed "safe to climb" on Thursday. | The BMC said about 20,000 people a year climb Mont Blanc, and that the mountain had been deemed "safe to climb" on Thursday. |
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". |