Rescuers probe avalanche debris on Creag Meagaidh during Wednesday's incident. Photo: Lochaber MRT

Rescuers probe avalanche debris on Creag Meagaidh during Wednesday's incident. Photo: Lochaber MRT

Police have named the climber who died in an avalanche on a Lochaber mountain earlier this week.

Adrian David Bankart, known as Dave, was climbing with another man on Creag Meagaidh when they were caught in the snow slide.

Members of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue went to the scene and the 54-year-old from Derbyshire was airlifted to hospital, along with his climbing companion, by the Inverness Coastguard helicopter but died in hospital.

Glencoe, Cairngorm and Glenmore Lodge Mountain Rescue Teams also went to the scene. 67 team members were involved in the operation on the mountain, along a Search and Rescue Dogs Association Scotland member and police officers.

Police Scotland said: “The family of Mr Bankart would seek this opportunity to extend their gratitude to all emergency services and mountain rescue personnel who were involved in the incident.

“The second male climber remains in a serious but stable condition in Belford Hospital, Fort William.”

The search for two missing Ben Nevis climbers remained suspended on Friday because of dangerous conditions on Britain’s highest mountain.

Police Scotland said: “Unfortunately, due to severe weather and ground conditions, land searches for missing climbers Rachel Slater and Tim Newton remain suspended today. Due to high winds and driving snow, searches from the air will not be possible.

“Yesterday afternoon [Inverness Coastguard] search and rescue helicopter 951 carried out an aerial search of the Ben Nevis area with Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team personnel on board. Unfortunately nothing significant was observed.

“Conditions remain under constant review. Police and partners reiterate the appeal to anyone with any information that may assist the search effort to make contact. Climbers and walkers travelling to the area this weekend are asked to bear the search activity in mind and report anything they feel may assist via 101.

“An assessment of conditions will be made first thing tomorrow, Saturday, where consideration will be given to deploying mountain rescue personnel and all available resources.”

The two climbers, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, were reported missing after failing to return from a climbing trip on the mountain on Sunday.

The avalanche risk for Lochaber, including Ben Nevis, is forecast to ease from high to considerable tomorrow on north- to south-east facing aspects.

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