Four Dead in Glen Coe Avalanche

by Dan Bailey - UKHillwalking.com Jan/2013
This news story has been read 16,913 times

A party of six has been caught in an avalanche in Glen Coe this afternoon, with the loss of four lives.

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+Bidean nam Bian in winter, 132 kb
Bidean nam Bian in winter
UKC News, Jan 2013
© Dan Bailey

The group of three men and three women were avalanched on Bidean nam Bian at around 14:00 today. SAIS reports that they were descending from Bidean's west top to Stob Coire nam Beith when they triggered the avalanche, which carried five of the party to below Church Door Buttress.

According to Northern Constabulary volunteers from Glen Coe Mountain Rescue Team, assisted by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team members and a search and rescue dog from SARDA Scotland, have now located all the members of the party, following a search for casualties.

Police have confirmed that four people, two men and two women, have been pronounced dead.

One other male member of the party raised the alarm and stayed to assist the searches at the scene. Meanwhile one woman remains in a serious condition at Belford Hospital in Fort William.

Update, Sunday 20/01/13:

Three of the four deceased have now been named. They are: Christopher William Bell, 24, a student from Blackpool; Una Rachel Finnegan, 25, a junior doctor from Co.Antrim; and Tom Chesters, 28, a student at Hull University. The family of the fourth victim has requested that her name be held back for now.

The injured woman, a 24-year-old from the Durham area, remains in a critical condition with head injuries.

The surviving male member of the group has released a short statement through the police:

'All in the group loved the mountains and are experienced winter walkers.'

'Can I ask that members of the deceaseds' families and I are left to grieve in privacy at this difficult time.'

'My sincere thanks goes to the members of the public, mountain rescue teams and other emergency services who assisted.'

Update, Monday 21/01/13:

The fourth victim has now been named by police as Dr Rachel Majumdar, 29, a doctor at Harrogate District Hospital.

* Forums ( Read More... | 120 comments, 24 Jan 2013 )
I'd agree with that. Even the Mail comments page had people making sensible points which seemed to have blocked what can become a wall of uninformed critique. My concerns with speaking to the press are much more around...
Offwidth - 24 Jan 2013

I think you did.. the press would have eventually found an armchair critic and could have used a quote of them. So by giving the quote you did you show them what the rest of the climbing/walking community think.
IainRUK - 22 Jan 2013

Chris has been a close friend over the last 2 and a bit years. He exuded energy and enthusiasm. He always had so many plans (normally running or biking over the largest hills possible). Presented with an idea for an...
tomdude - 22 Jan 2013

We were also questioned by press in the layby for the Lost Valley on Sunday morning (late start) a photographer from the Times wanted photos of us putting boots on, strapping axes to sacs, etc - we politely refused. ...
The Mole - 22 Jan 2013

We were "doorstepped" while chatting with friends on the Sunday evening at the pub. I didn't want to say anything at first, but thought it was important to make the point that this was a terrible accident,...
John Rushby - 22 Jan 2013

Just found out that an old friend of mine, Rachel was the fourth victim. She used to kick my a*se orienteering - I just wish she was still around to carry on the trend. Sounds a cliche I know, but I have met few...
Ali - 21 Jan 2013

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