Northern Constabulary have confirmed the details of one of the deceased from the Glencoe avalanche as Una Rachel Finnegan, (pictured above) age 25, from Co.Antrim, Northern Ireland. Una was a Junior Doctor living in Edinburgh.
Two of the other climbers who were killed in the same avalanche incident have also been named :-
Tom Chesters, age 28. Tom was a PhD student at Hull University, living in Leeds. (Police will issue a photo later)
Christopher Bell
Christopher William Bell, age 24, from Blackpool, Lancashire. He was a student currently studying for a PhD in Ocean Mapping in Oban.
The family of the fourth victim of the avalanche has requested that her name be held back until extended next of kin are informed.
The following Statement has been released on behalf of the surviving male member of the group of friends caught up in the Glencoe avalanche. He has asked for his name not to be released at this stage and we ask that media respect his privacy at this very difficult time.
“On Saturday 19th January 2013, five of my friends and I were descending a mountain in Glencoe named Stob Coire nam Bian in an area known as Church Door Buttress when the party was swept away by a snow avalanche. It is with much sadness and deep regret that some of my friends have died as a result.
“All in the group loved the mountains and are experienced winter walkers. Can I ask that members of the deceased’s families and I are left to grieve in privacy at this difficult time. My sincere thanks goes to the members of the public, mountain rescue teams and other emergency services who assisted.”
Earlier today police said that a 24 year-old woman, from the Durham area, who was taken to Belford Hospital with serious head injuries, has now been transferred to the Southern General in Glasgow. She remains in a critical condition. Members of her family are with her.
Superintendent Philip MacRae said: -“Our thoughts are with the families and all those who are affected by this tragic incident. Members of the climbing party were from different parts of the UK and a priority for us has been to trace and inform all next of kin. They have now been informed and we have family liaison officers in place.
“I would like to express my thanks to the members of the Glencoe and Lochaber Mountain Rescue teams who assisted with the emergency phase of this incident. I am grateful for their expertise and rapid response.”
Jonathan Hart, Chairman of the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland said: “This was a tragic event and I speak on behalf of all the mountain rescue team members involved when I say our hearts go out to the casualties and the families of all those involved.
“People come from all over the UK and the world to experience and enjoy the mountain scenery and sports in this part of Scotland. Mountain Rescue teams train for these kind of incidents and indeed there was a national Scottish Mountain Rescue course on this weekend on Avalanche Rescue, taking place in the Nevis range.
The Glencoe and Lochaber Mountain Rescue team members and instructors on the course attended the rescue which was coordinated by Police and led on the scene by Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team who were assisted by Search and Rescue Dogs.
We are grateful to Royal Navy Rescue 177 who transferred rescue team members from the valley floor to the locus of the avalanche. This enabled a very rapid response to the incident in terms of locating all the casualties. Everything possible was done, as part of an outstanding multi-agency response, to increase the opportunities for survival of the casualties and take them off the mountain before the hours of darkness. It is very sad that there has been such a tragic outcome.”
