Brothers Die In Scottish Avalanche

Desperate efforts to save three climbers from a snowy tomb failed at the weekend when three men - all described as experienced climbers - were killed in an avalanche in the Scottish Highlands.

Two of the deceased were brothers from Northern Ireland, named yesterday as Eamonn Murphy, 61, from Carrickfergus and John Murphy, 63, who lived in Portrush.

The pair died in the tragedy at Buchaille Etive Mor near Glencoe along with Scot Brian Murray, 46, from Monifeith, Tayside.

The emergency services have said that the group had done everything right and were wearing the correct clothing and carrying the right equipment for the conditions.

Helicopters were called to the scene at about noon on Saturday after nine people, in at least two separate parties, were caught up in the avalanche.

The police and rescue services said yesterday that two people were immediately taken off the mountain by an RAF rescue helicopter which flew them to Belford Hospital in Fort William and one man was pronounced dead on arrival while the second died later.

As the RAF helicopter took the two men to hospital, a second Royal Navy helicopter dropped off further rescuers who made their way on foot to locate the third man.

The police said that a third body was found later in the snow - after some 20 minutes of probing the snow to find him – which meant it was also too late for him to survive.

Another person is being treated for a shoulder injury while five others were rescued from the mountain.

(BMcC/JM)