Climber, 22, dies and another seriously injured after falling from Ben Nevis

A man has died, and another is seriously injured after falling from Ben Nevis.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, a Coastguard rescue helicopter and Police Scotland officers were sent to reports of two injured men in the Moonlight Gully area around 5pm on Saturday.

One of the climbers, a 30-year-old man, had managed to make his way further down the hill, where he was rescued and treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries.

He was taken to Raigmore Hospital.

The search for the second man was called off due to challenging weather conditions and hazardous ground.

Rescuers returned on Sunday morning, and the body of a 22-year-old man was recovered.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 5pm on Saturday, March 29, police were made aware of concerns for two climbers injured on the North face of Ben Nevis.

“Officers attended to carry out searches with our partners in the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and Inverness Coastguard rescue helicopter, with the operation continuing on Sunday, March 30.

“A 30-year-old man was taken to Raigmore Hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

“The body of a 22-year-old man was recovered, and next-of-kin are aware of the death. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

The Lochaber Mountain Rescue team had been called out four times over the past week.

They added: “On Saturday at 5pm, we were tasked by Police Scotland to two fallen climbers in the vicinity of Moonlight Gully, Ben Nevis.

“The team treated and rescued one climber with serious injuries who had managed to move further down the hill. Due to some very challenging weather conditions, combined with hazardous ground, the team returned Sunday morning to recover the other casualty, who was sadly deceased.

“We send our deepest condolences to the family, and would like to offer thanks to the crew of Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R151 and members of Police Scotland MRT North Division.”