BRITISH CLIMBER DIES AFTER FALL FROM TORRECERREDO SUMMIT

A British climber has died after falling around 60 metres into a gully near the summit of Torrecerredo in Spain's Cantabrian Mountains, the Spanish Civil Guard said. The fall happened on Thursday, about 20 metres from the top, on the mountain's eastern face in the Picos de Europa range. Emergency services said they were called at around 13:27 local time (11:27 GMT) and sent a helicopter rescue team, whose doctor confirmed the man's death at the scene shortly afterwards. The UK Foreign Office said it was in contact with local authorities "following reports of the death of a British national in Spain". Spanish authorities described him as English but have not released his identity.

The doctor stayed with the body until a Civil Guard helicopter reached the site about an hour and 20 minutes later. Specialist mountain rescuers were then winched down and recovered the climber's body along with his belongings. His body was taken to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Asturias, which carries out forensic examinations. Torrecerredo stands about 2,650 metres high in the Picos de Europa, an area popular with climbers and walkers. The region's tourism board describes the summit route as "very difficult" with steep, exposed ground on the descent.

Sepa Asturias, which coordinates regional emergency services, said it separately took a French woman to hospital after she injured her leg on the same range on Thursday afternoon. The Civil Guard has not said whether it will investigate the climber's death further. The Foreign Office said it continues to liaise with authorities in Spain following the death. The Picos de Europa remains a popular destination for climbers and walkers, according to the region's tourism board.