Sunday, 25 January 2009: Nine climbers in two parties were the centre of a massive rescue effort in Scotland on Saturday following avalanches in the Buchaille Etive Mor area.

Buchaille Etive Mor

Scottish Police have confirmed that three of the nine have died from their injuries following the avalanche on the mountain near Glencoe.

Helicopters were sent out when news of the lost climbers came in but of the four taken to hospital in Fort William, three were declared dead on arrival.

The fourth suffered a shoulder injury, but fortunately all of the others are believed to have been accounted for.

The Avalanche Information Service website warned that the avalanche hazard for Saturday would be "considerable".

It stated: "Snowpack stability will remain poor on all steep North-North-West through North to East aspects above 850m where avalanches are likely. Weak cornices will continue to grow over these locations and be prone to collapse."