British Climber 'Swims' Avalanche And Survives

A British climber is recovering in hospital after cheating death by "swimming" an avalanche in the Italian Alps.

The unidentified 23-year-old was with two other Britons, named as Ben Tibbetts and Misha Gopaul, on Europe's highest peak Mount Blanc.

They were caught as they made their way down the 4,800m-high mountain after setting off from their base camp at 2am.

As they made their way down the Aiguille di Bionnassy, the group was struck by a huge wall of snow and ice which Mr Tibbetts, 31, and Mr Gopaul, 33, were able to avoid - but which carried their companion away.

Police chief Delfino Viglione, based in Aosta, said: "The climber who was caught in the avalanche survived but he was very, very lucky.

"He was hit by the full force of the avalanche but instead of being buried he managed to swim it for 700m before coming to a stop.

"The swimming action helped him stay near the surface of the snow and he was able to walk out of the avalanche.

"He had to be picked up by helicopter as the mountain rescue teams could not reach him but the main thing was he survived.

"Climbers sometimes have airbags to help them float and not be buried when they are hit by an avalanche but he had no such equipment.

"Rescue teams said he was lucky to be alive and apart from a few cuts and bruises he has no serious injuries. He will go home in one piece," he added.

Photographer Mr Tibbetts, from Hereford, and company director Mr Gopaul, from London, were also rescued from the mountain by helicopter.

They suffered no injuries and were allowed to make their way to Chamonix over the border into France where they had started their climb.

Speaking from Chamonix, Mr Tibbetts said: "It was an unfortunate accident. Avalanches are difficult to predict.

"We were a group of three and one of us got hit but myself and Misha didn't and are ok. The other guy is very, very fortunate.

"He didn't have an airbag on him as we were travelling light. He was carried quite a way down but he survived.

"He rode the avalanche, floated near the top and managed to walk away at the end of it. He's got a few bruises and is a bit shocked but otherwise OK."

Mr Tibbetts declined to name his companion who was being treated in a hospital at Aosta where a spokesman said the climber did not wish to comment.