Menu
07/03/2006
Son's rescue bid fails in Spanish climbing tragedy
Three British men died during a climbing expedition in Spain's Sierra Nevada Mountains, despite the attempts of one of the group to go for help.
Stephen Riddiough was reported to have woken on Sunday to find the other members of the party - his father Colin, Paul Dick, both from Saltburn, and John Plews from Redcar - unconscious. He left the men sheltered in a snow-hole on the south side of Mulhacen, the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and trekked to the village of Capileira to raise the alarm.
However, Civil Guard rescue teams failed to find the men on Sunday and the rescue attempt had to be called off due to the bad weather conditions. The bodies of the three men were eventually found on Monday afternoon.
It is believed that the men died of hypothermia.
According to some reports, the men were not equipped with proper clothing and footwear for the expedition. A police spokesperson had yesterday described the trip as "reckless". However, another official was later reported to have said that the men were "well equipped" for the trip.
The tragic deaths bring the total number of Britons who have died while walking on Spanish mountains this year to five. Last month, Robert Rippengal, 39, and Kate Stokes, 35 - both experienced climbers - died after they were stranded in a snowstorm in the Picos de Europa Mountains in northern Spain.
Earlier this year, another British climber Paul Beck, 33, had to be airlifted from the same mountain range, after surviving six days and five nights by wrapping himself in warm, waterproof clothing and drinking his own urine to prevent dehydration.
The Sierra Nevada mountain range overlooks the beaches of Andalusia, but has some of the highest peaks and most hostile mountain conditions in Europe.
During the winter months, temperatures on the peaks are, on average, around 14C less than in the valleys, creating sub-zero conditions which can cause even very experienced climbers serious problems.
In May 2004, rescuers found the bodies of three people, including two Dutch women, who had been part of a group of mountaineers who got lost in bad weather.
(KMcA/GB)
Stephen Riddiough was reported to have woken on Sunday to find the other members of the party - his father Colin, Paul Dick, both from Saltburn, and John Plews from Redcar - unconscious. He left the men sheltered in a snow-hole on the south side of Mulhacen, the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and trekked to the village of Capileira to raise the alarm.
However, Civil Guard rescue teams failed to find the men on Sunday and the rescue attempt had to be called off due to the bad weather conditions. The bodies of the three men were eventually found on Monday afternoon.
It is believed that the men died of hypothermia.
According to some reports, the men were not equipped with proper clothing and footwear for the expedition. A police spokesperson had yesterday described the trip as "reckless". However, another official was later reported to have said that the men were "well equipped" for the trip.
The tragic deaths bring the total number of Britons who have died while walking on Spanish mountains this year to five. Last month, Robert Rippengal, 39, and Kate Stokes, 35 - both experienced climbers - died after they were stranded in a snowstorm in the Picos de Europa Mountains in northern Spain.
Earlier this year, another British climber Paul Beck, 33, had to be airlifted from the same mountain range, after surviving six days and five nights by wrapping himself in warm, waterproof clothing and drinking his own urine to prevent dehydration.
The Sierra Nevada mountain range overlooks the beaches of Andalusia, but has some of the highest peaks and most hostile mountain conditions in Europe.
During the winter months, temperatures on the peaks are, on average, around 14C less than in the valleys, creating sub-zero conditions which can cause even very experienced climbers serious problems.
In May 2004, rescuers found the bodies of three people, including two Dutch women, who had been part of a group of mountaineers who got lost in bad weather.
(KMcA/GB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 January 2013
British Tourist Dies In Australia Waterfall Slip
The body of a young man who died after falling from a waterfall in the Blue Mountains yesterday has been retrieved. The 20-year-old man, who was holidaying in Australia from the UK, was walking with friends at Wentworth Falls when he slipped over the edge of the falls about midday on January 6th.
British Tourist Dies In Australia Waterfall Slip
The body of a young man who died after falling from a waterfall in the Blue Mountains yesterday has been retrieved. The 20-year-old man, who was holidaying in Australia from the UK, was walking with friends at Wentworth Falls when he slipped over the edge of the falls about midday on January 6th.
28 October 2010
Mournes Crash Downs Police Helicopter
The UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch has been informed after four police officers were left injured today when a leased helicopter involved in investigating a fatal weekend crash in the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland overturned.
Mournes Crash Downs Police Helicopter
The UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch has been informed after four police officers were left injured today when a leased helicopter involved in investigating a fatal weekend crash in the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland overturned.
03 September 2013
Body Recovered In Australia Believed To Be Missing Briton
Authorities in Australia searching for a missing British man have found a body while searching in bushland in the Blue Mountains region. 23-year-old Gary Tweddle, a computer salesman from Reading, was last seen in July when he attended a business conference in Leura, west of Sydney.
Body Recovered In Australia Believed To Be Missing Briton
Authorities in Australia searching for a missing British man have found a body while searching in bushland in the Blue Mountains region. 23-year-old Gary Tweddle, a computer salesman from Reading, was last seen in July when he attended a business conference in Leura, west of Sydney.
11 April 2012
Men Pay More For Life Insurance
Men across the UK are paying far more for their life insurance than women, accordng to new research. Men are paying an average of 26% more per policy, per year. To make matters worse, Confused.com reveals that a shocking 1 in 4 men never shop around for anything better.
Men Pay More For Life Insurance
Men across the UK are paying far more for their life insurance than women, accordng to new research. Men are paying an average of 26% more per policy, per year. To make matters worse, Confused.com reveals that a shocking 1 in 4 men never shop around for anything better.
13 April 2007
Public workers can't afford houses in the UK
Key public sector workers, such as teachers, nurses and police, cannot afford to buy a house in 70 per cent of Britain's towns, according to a Halifax survey.
Public workers can't afford houses in the UK
Key public sector workers, such as teachers, nurses and police, cannot afford to buy a house in 70 per cent of Britain's towns, according to a Halifax survey.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
