CROWN officials are considering whether to hold a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of a climber on Ben Nevis who died during a rescue attempt.
An inquiry must be held in cases of death in custody or as a result of an accident at work but others can be ordered at the discretion of the Lord Advocate in cases of sudden, suspicious or unexplained death, or death in circumstances that give rise to serious public concern.
Mark Phillips, an environmental health officer with the Highland Council, fell around 160ft while climbing on Monday.
He was injured but still attached to a safety rope. However, it is understood this was cut in error before he was secured by the crew of an RAF Lossiemouth rescue helicopter.
Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team leader John Grieve said: "The whole mountain rescue community would welcome an FAI. It would help us to know exactly what happened."
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