TWO climbers have died after being caught up in an avalanche on Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.

Another two people have been injured.

An air ambulance and Coastguard helicopter had been sent to the scene at around noon.

Police Scotland said in a statement: "Police Scotland is currently co-ordinating a mountain rescue response following reports of an avalanche on Ben Nevis this morning.

"Police were informed that the avalanche had occurred in Number 5 Gully area at around 11:50am.

"We can sadly confirm that two people have died and two people have been injured.

"Volunteers from Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team remain at the scene and were assisted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Scottish Ambulance Service.

"Further details will be released when available."

The Scottish Ambulance Service were alerted to the incident shortly after 12.20pm and also sent three ambulances to the peak.

A spokesman said: “We received a call at 1222 hours today to attend an incident in Ben Nevis.

“We dispatched three ambulances, a Helimed resource and our trauma team to the scene.”

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