51-year-old man dies following climb on Ben Nevis

An investigation is being carried out into the climber’s death following recent speculation.

16:18 28 February 2013

A climber has died after pursuing a trip to the British mountain Ben Nevis. Mark Phillips, aged 51, suffered an injury during his climb and rescue helicopters attended the scene. It is understood that there will be an investigation into the cause of Mr. Phillip’s death.

 

The climber, who reportedly suffered a fall earlier this week while in the region, was attended to by an RAF helicopter as well as a rescue team.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said that there is “speculation” surrounding reports concerning Mr. Phillip’s death. Reportedly, there are rumours that a safety line broke during the rescue mission.

 

An MoD spokesperson said: “We can confirm that two military search and rescue helicopters were sent to assist in an operation to rescue a fallen climber on Ben Nevis, who sadly died. An investigation by Northern Constabulary is underway. It would be inappropriate for the MOD to comment further.”

 

The late climber’s wife Caroline Phillips has explained that she heard the speculation. She said in a statement: “I have entire confidence in the police and the process and I do not want to indulge such speculation.”

 

Mr. Phillip’s death takes the total number of people to have lost their lives recently in the Scottish Highlands to 11.

 

Ben Nevis is 1,344 metres tall (around 4,409 feet) making it the largest mountain in the British Isles. It is situated in the Lochaber region of Scotland, and is visited by many tourists every year. The nearby town Fort William is also a hot-spot with visitors, which lies south of the Scottish city Inverness.