A walker has died after getting caught in an avalanche and falling 500ft down a mountain in Snowdonia.
The unidentified man, who was believed to be in his 30s, fell on Y Garn - a peak more than 3,000ft high in north Wales.
He is thought to have met two female students at the summit and discussed the best way down, Chris Lloyd of Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue said.
But they made the mistake of walking along a large cornice of overhanging snow, which they thought was solid ground.
The snow gave way, causing an avalanche which swept up one of the girls and the man.
"She came to rest quite quickly, but sadly he was flushed about 500ft down the gulley," Mr Lloyd said, adding that the woman escaped uninjured.
"It is extremely unfortunate they have just made this error which is easily done walking on what you think is a big field of snow and not realising it is a ledge.
"It is tragic especially at this time of year.
"Somewhere there will be presents going unopened under the Christmas tree."
Emergency crews were alerted to the incident at 2pm by a mountaineering guide who came across the group.
The guide abseiled down to rescue the girl, taking her up to higher ground.
He then returned to see to the man, who had already died.
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