A 28-year-old British climber has died after falling approximately 60 metres (200ft) while descending from one of the highest mountains in northern Spain.
The man fell into a gully on the eastern face of Torrecerredo in the Picos de Europa on Thursday afternoon, according to Guardia Civil officers.
Emergency services were called at around 13:27 local time, with a medical helicopter carrying a mountain rescue team and a doctor dispatched to the scene.
The doctor reached the climber at approximately 14:18 and confirmed that he had died. The doctor remained at the location with the casualty until a Civil Guard helicopter arrived around an hour and 20 minutes later.
Specialist mountain rescuers were subsequently lowered by winch to the accident site, where they recovered the man’s body and his belongings.
The climber has not been publicly identified. Spanish authorities described him as English, while the UK’s Foreign Office confirmed that it was in contact with local authorities following reports of the death of a British national in Spain.
According to the rescue team, the accident happened when the climber was approximately 20 metres below the summit.
His body has been taken to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Asturias, where forensic examination will take place.
Torrecerredo stands at approximately 2,650 metres and is the highest summit in the Picos de Europa and one of the highest mountains in northern Spain.
It lies within the Cantabrian Mountains and is a popular destination for experienced walkers and climbers, attracted by the dramatic limestone landscape and challenging terrain.
The regional tourism authorities describe the route to Torrecerredo as “very difficult”, with a demanding ascent and particularly steep and exposed sections close to the summit.
The fatality was one of two incidents dealt with by emergency services in the Picos de Europa region on Thursday.
A 54-year-old French woman suffered a leg injury elsewhere in the mountain range and was transported to hospital by emergency services.
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