It has emerged that the climber who died on Saturday in Glencoe had gone to the aid of a walker who had himself fallen 20m (70ft) into a shallow river.

The Three Sisters, Glencoe, site of the climber's death. Photo: Bruce Cowan

The man, who was today named as Alastair Aitken, 37, a teacher from Newcastle, slipped and fell into the river near the bridge at the Meeting of Three Waters. His colleagues tried to resuscitate him and also treated the first walker who had fallen, putting him in a survival bag.

John Grieve, leader of Glencoe Mountain Team praised the second party for their efforts in going to the aid of the walkers and also for their attempt to save their own colleague. He said the first man was lucky to survive because the water is shallow and the river rocky at that point.

He said the rescue team was at the scene within 15 minutes of getting the call about 5pm on Saturday.

Mr Grieve also warned that the site of the incident is becoming hazardous. He told the Press and Journal: “In the 45 years I’ve been at the job, until five years ago there was never one there.

“The path has changed, it’s worn away.”

Three walkers had descended from Coire Gabhail – the Lost Valley – when one of their party fell into the water. The group used their whistles to summon help and three climbers who were also heading towards the main road came to their aid. It was at that point that one of the climbers slipped to his death in the gorge below.

The site of the incident is only 400m from the main A82 road through the Pass of Glencoe near the Three Sisters – Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach and Aonach Dubh.

The walker who initially fell into the water was taken to Belford Hospital, Fort William.

Mr Aitken is believed to have taught at Bedlingtonshire Community High School, Northumberland. A spokesperson for Northern Constabulary said his relatives had been informed of his death.