HMForces

A Royal Air Force serviceman has died after he was trapped in an avalanche while skiing.

The airman was one of three Britons engulfed in the avalanche while skiing down the Riedbergerhorn mountain in the Bavarian Alps.

Two of the skiers survived after they were dug out of the snow by their comrades. But the third individual was later found unconscious and could not be saved, according to German police.

An MoD spokesman said: "It is with great sadness the Ministry of Defence must confirm that an RAF service person has been killed in Oberstdorf, Bavaria.

"The individual was taking part in an adventure training exercise when he was caught in an avalanche.

"The airman’s next of kin have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.

“The MOD would like to express sincere condolences to the family at this very sad time.”

Police spokesman Christian Owsinski said the avalanche struck at an altitude of 5,000 feet. Paramedics arrived by helicopter but the airman was pronounced dead one the mountain.

Mr Owsinski said a group of 27 British servicemen had been spending the week in the Bavarian Alps undergoing back-country ski training.

Last month three climbers were killed by two separate avalanches in the Scottish Highlands.

Two of the men who died had been climbing in Coire na Ciste on Ben Nevis when they were swept down a gully. Another climber saw the accident happen and raised the alarm.

A 53-year-old man from Derbyshire died after he was hit by a second avalanche further north in Torridon near the Liathach Ridge.

Originally published by Newsquest Media Group.

© 2010 Herald, The; Glasgow (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.