Ben Nevis: Man dies and two injured after large-scale operation on mountain that saw soldiers step in to help
Mountain rescuers stressed "just how important it is to be adequately prepared for winter in the hills" and expressed their "heart-felt condolences".
Wednesday 9 March 2022 16:27, UK
A man has died and two people were injured after 23 people had to be helped off the mountain in a large-scale operation on Ben Nevis.
What started out as a "beautiful day" turned into a tragedy as people became trapped on a mountainside that turned into a dangerous "ice rink".
The 28-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene after he is believed to have fallen to his death when a group of climbers got into difficulty on Tuesday.
His is the sixth death in the last two weeks in the Scottish mountains. Another man is missing on a neighbouring mountain.
Deteriorating conditions and worsening visibility left several people stranded, prompting a huge search operation involving 50 mountain rescue volunteers.
As the incident on Ben Nevis unfolded, a "small number" of soldiers from Edinburgh who were there for adventure training stepped in to help those in trouble until rescuers arrived at the scene.
Two other men, aged 29 and 37, required hospital treatment for minor injuries following the rescue operation.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Mountain Rescue Teams across Scotland have been experiencing a recent increase in callouts and six people have tragically lost their lives over the last two weeks.
"Last night Mountain Rescue Teams dealt with an incident on Ben Nevis... One man, aged 28 was pronounced dead at the scene and 23 people were assisted off the mountain. Two men, aged 29 and 37 were treated in hospital.
"A search for Nick Gillingham, last seen near the summit of Stob Coire Nam Beith, Glencoe, has been stood down today due to weather conditions. It will resume once it is safe for mountain rescue teams to do so.
"It is vitally important to understand the risks of your activity... The photo you've seen on social media is not always a true reflection of what you may find when you get there."
The force said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death on Ben Nevis and a full report would be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
The Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, which covers Ben Nevis, said it had been "especially busy" over the last five days, with three people losing their lives in that period alone.
Rescuer Miller Harris told Sky News that what began as a "beautiful day" deteriorated as visibility got worse and the ground became like an "ice rink".
He warned would-be mountain hikers that conditions can change very quickly in Scotland and urged people to think twice before setting out and ensure they are properly trained and equipped.
In a post on Facebook, Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team said: "Since Saturday we've had 12 callouts and recovered 26 casualties. Unfortunately 3 of these shouts resulted in fatalities and we'd like to extend our heart felt condolence to the friends and family of those involved at this difficult time.
"It would be remiss if we didn't stress just how important it is to be adequately prepared for winter in the hills.
"Having the ability to competently navigate with map and compass as well as having and being able to use crampons and axe are vital skills to have if you're venturing into the hills."
Ken Johnston, chief media officer for the Army in Scotland, told Sky News: "We can confirm a small number of soldiers were involved in an incident on Ben Nevis where they gave support to civilian walkers until emergency and mountain rescue teams arrived."
He confirmed that the person who died was not a soldier and said the Army personnel - who were from multiple regiments - are now back at base.