A man has died, and another is in a serious condition, following an avalanche in the Highlands.
The men are believed to have been found in the Creag Meagaidh area of north Lochaber at around 315pm this afternoon.
67 Mountain Rescue personnel were involved in the rescue, which involved police, a SARDA Dog and the R951 helicopter.
There had been reports that that a number of climbers saw rucksacks and equipment abandoned on snow covered hills on the north side of Glen Spean, between Roy Bridge and Newtonmore, amidst what appeared like the aftermath of an avalanche.
Inspector Donald Campbell added: "Police Scotland would like to thank all rescue personnel involved in today's rescue for the rapid response and determination displayed in very challenging conditions.
"Sadly, one man succumbed to his injuries and his climbing companion remains in hospital."
It comes as the search for a missing couple on Ben Nevis has been suspended.
A police spokesman said: "Due to initial reports of casualties involved in the avalanche, HM Coastguard helicopter Rescue 951 was diverted from its search for two missing climbers in the Ben Nevis region."
The helicopter had a spell looking for Rachel Slater, 24 and Tim Newton, 27, from Yorkshire, who have been missing on Ben Nevis since the weekend.
No trace was found.
The couple camped in a green tent behind the Charles Inglis Clark Memorial (CIC) hut on the north side of Britain's highest mountain at the weekend. They were seen there on Saturday.
The alarm was raised when they didn’t return on Monday.
Their tent and their car were found later.
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