British climber, 28, plunges 200ft to his death near summit of one of Spain's highest mountains
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By NATALIA PENZA
Published: | Updated:
A British climber has fallen to his death on one of the highest mountains in northern Spain.
The 28-year-old lost his life after plunging 200 feet in the tragic accident on Thursday.
Local reports said the Brit was just 65ft from the summit of Torrecerredo, which, at 8,690ft above sea level, is the highest summit in the Picos de Europa mountain range.
Emergency responders received the first alert around 1.30pm yesterday, and the British mountaineer was pronounced dead at the scene.
His remains were transported to La Morgal, a regional sports, aviation and emergency services complex in Llanera near the Asturian cities of Oviedo and Gijon.
Confirming details of the incident, a regional emergency services responder said: 'The alert was received at 1.27pm yesterday (THURS), reporting a person had fallen 40 to 60 metres and had possibly died.
'The Civil Guard was informed, and a rescue group doctor was sent to confirm the condition of the person who had fallen so the GREIM mountain search and rescue team could be deployed in the event of a fatality.
'At 2.18pm the rescue doctor confirmed the climber's death but had to remain at the scene, guarding the body, until 3.28pm when the Civil Guard helicopter with the GREIM experts on board arrived in the area.
A British man has died in a mountaineering acciden in Spain's Picos de Europa mountain range (file image)
'The deceased person's remains were also transported in the Civil Guard aircraft to La Morgal, where funeral services were waiting, as requested by the police force.'
It was not immediately clear this morning who raised the alarm and whether the unnamed British man was alone or accompanied by family or friends.
Although one local report said he was near to reaching the summit when he fell, it is unclear whether he was on his way up or down the mountain.
The tragedy in northern Spain comes just days after a Norwegian hiker died in an accident on the Cares Trail, one of the most popular trekking paths within the Picos de Europa.
The 71-year-old slipped after losing his balance and plunging several feet as he tried to put a heavy rucksack on his back on September 19.
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