A British climber has died after falling some 200ft from a mountainside in northern Spain. The unnamed 28-year-old male excursionist fell from the east side of Torrecerredo, the highest peak of the Picos de Europa range on the border of Asturias and Castilla y Leon.
Rescue operation
Spain’s Guardia Civil confirmed a mountain rescue team was deployed following reports that a person had fallen at 2.20pm on Thursday. The mountaineer’s body was recovered after being spotted by a helicopter team, with his belongings found scattered around the trail.
His remains were found some 65ft below the summit, which stands at 8,690ft above sea level. They were taken to La Morgal sports and aviation centre in Llanera, near the city of Gijon.
Second climber rescued
Rescuers also saved a 54-year-old French excursionist who fractured her leg while climbing the Jou Sin Tierre peak in the same mountain range. She had been accompanied by another climber who had left her to try to get phone signal in order to call for help on Thursday afternoon.
The climber was transferred to the Hospital of the Orient in Arriondas, emergency services confirmed.
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office said: ‘We are in contact with the local authorities following reports of the death of a British national in Spain.’
