Missing hikers who fell to deaths were 'guide and clients tied up together'

09 August 2023 , 06:32

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The Aonach Eagach mountain ridge where the three hikers sadly fell from (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)

The missing hillwalkers who tragically fell to their death were said to have been roped together, and led by an experienced guide.

The horror hiking accident unfolded in Glencoe, Scottish Highlands, on Saturday 5 August, where the three of them, two men and a woman, fell from the Aonach Eagach mountain ridge. The group were reported missing shortly after 9pm, leading to rescue teams, including a search helicopter, being dispatched to try and locate them.

Sadly however, their bodies were located a short time later and Police Scotland said there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances around the deaths. It has since emerged that the trio were roped together, and the guide was described as “uber experienced”.

It is thought that the group were roped together as they made their way across the rocky six-mile course. The stretch has sadly claimed at least four other lives over the past nine years.

Mountaineer Alan O’Connor told the Scottish Sun: "The guide was uber experienced but I’m guessing they were roped up and someone slipped. The route has deteriorated in parts making certain sections a lot trickier in wet weather."

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Glenshee Ski Patroller and Polar Guide William Smith added: "It is most likely that given the location and the need for protection, they were roped together but had either an insecure belay or on an easier section were caught unaware when one of the party tumbled. Scottish mountains may not be high compared with the Alps but they can be extremely dangerous."

An unnamed instructor added that there would likely be an investigation into the three deaths. Police Scotland are yet to confirm the identities of the tragic three, whose bodies were recovered in the early hours of Sunday.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of concern for a group of three hillwalkers who had not returned from the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe shortly after 9.05pm on Saturday, August 5. A search was carried out and the bodies of three people, two men and a woman, were found. HM Coastguard as well as Glencoe and RAF mountain rescue teams assisted with the recovery operation. There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."

Kieren Williams