The walker fell from the ridge between Cnoc na Péiste and An Gunna Mhór. Photo: Adam Ward CC-BY-SA-2.0

A walker has died after falling from a ridge on Ireland’s fourth highest mountain.

The man fell from the ridge between Cnoc na Péiste and An Gunna Mhór in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks range about 1.30pm yesterday.

The walker, who was visiting Ireland, was with another man when he fell.

Members of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team were called out and a helicopter from the Irish Coastguard flew some of the team to the area, but the 26-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

The walker’s body was carried from the mountain to Hag’s Glen and then to Kerry General Hospital in Tralee. A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out.

The ridge between the 988m (3,241ft) Cnoc na Péiste and An Gunna Mhór lies about 4km east of Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain.