Kenton Cool holds Arthur Wakefield's gold medal. Photo: Vitty Robinson

Kenton Cool holds Arthur Wakefield's gold medal. Photo: Vitty Robinson

British Everest record-holder Kenton Cool has assured followers he is safe on the world’s highest mountain after news of three deaths of climbers near the summit.

Two other mountaineers are missing on the 8,848m (29,029ft) peak.

German Eberhard Schaaf, 61, of Aachen, Canadian Shriya Shah, 32, who was born in Nepal, and South Korean Song Won-Bin all died near the South Summit while descending from the mountain’s summit on Saturday.

A Chinese mountaineer and his Nepali Sherpa are also missing on Everest.

Nepal authorities said a large number of mountaineers attempted the summit on Saturday. Clear weather encouraged many to push for the top on Friday and Saturday, but weather conditions deteriorated as many waited to make the final ascent.

Asian Trekking, on whose Eco Everest expedition Mr Schaaf was a member, said he died due to acute altitude sickness at the position 8,750m (28,700ft) high on the mountain.

Kenton Cool, Dorje Gylgen and cameraman Keith Partridge are taking a rest day at Camp Two on the Western Cwm before setting out for Camp Three tomorrow.

His UK-based support team said he had received a favourable weather forecast for Friday and was still expected to make an attempt on the summit, carrying Arthur Wakefield’s 1924 Olympic medal, early on 25 May.

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