Scottish avalanche kills 3

Two rescue helicopters were scrambled to head for the scene on Buchaille Etive Mor just after 12.15pm when the avalanche hit a group of seven climbers.

Police and members of the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team and a police team headed for the scene. Two climbers were airlifted to Bedford Hospital in Fort William A third climber was later found and also taken to hospital.

All three were subsequently declared dead.

An RAF rescue helicopter, was diverted from an exercise in the area and a second helicopter was scrambled from the Royal Navy station at HMS Gannet near Prestwick.

On Friday there were reports of wet and loose snow in many of the gullies in Glencoe. Snowfalls in the past few days have increased the risk of an avalanche and in places the snow reached up to four feet.