23/01/2006

British climbers die in Alps fall

Two British climbers have lost their lives in a fall while attempting to scale a frozen waterfall in the Italian Alps.

Peter James Hussey, a 46-year-old father of two from Lincoln, and Sarah Kathleen Ball, 33, from Ambleside, died from injures they received in a 300ft fall on Saturday.

Mr Hussey suffered multiple injuries and died in the fall and Ms Ball died as paramedics battled to stabilise her at the scene.

The Acheronte waterfall is at an altitude of 6,000 ft and it is understood that they had been with a party on a day trip to the area where the accident occurred.

A group of French climbers had raised the alarm after the pair were seen to plunge into the valley. A mountain rescue helicopter in the area was quickly diverted to the scene.

Local police said that the area where the accident occurred was not considered difficult terrain and that specialist ice climbing equipment was not required.

It is reported that one of the climbers, who were both well equipped and roped together, had slipped pulling the other over the edge of a 300ft drop.

(SP/KMcA)

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