British climber Robin Haynes Fisher is latest to die on Everest

A British climber has become the latest to die on Mount Everest - where 10 people are said to have died in the last few weeks.

Dozens of climbers have been making the assault on the summit in the narrow window of opportunity when weather conditions are good enough.

Robin Haynes Fisher, 44, is reported to have made the top of the world's highest mountain but died 150 metres (almost 500ft) below on his way back down.

According to the expeditionary company's Murari Sharma, Mr Fisher "suddenly fell down" when returning from the summit.

"Our sherpa Jangbu tried to wake him up him and change his oxygen bottle and tried to give him some water but there was no response," added Mr Sharma.

"Jangbu and other sherpas tried for a long time to wake Mr Fisher up but they couldn't. Finally our sherpa and other sherpas confirmed he is dead. Then they tried to bring down his body, but they could not."

"He was a great man and a good friend and all of us are very sad. Our deepest condolences to Mr Fisher's family, friends, and colleagues for their loss," Mr Sharma added.

Confirming his death, Mr Fisher's partner Kristyn Carriere - who went with him as far as Everest Base Camp before leaving him to climb with an organised trekking group - said on Facebook: "He got his goal."

She added: "My heart is broken. It was his ultimate challenge."

Mr Fisher's family have described him as an "aspirational adventurer".

"He was a 'tough guy', triathlete, and marathoner. A champion for vegetarianism, published author, and a cultured theatre-goer, lover of Shakespeare," they said.

"We are deeply saddened by his loss as he still had so many more adventures and dreams to fulfil.

"Every one who ever met him in any capacity will always remember the positive impact he had on their lives."

According to the Himalayan Times, Mr Fisher's death brings to at least 20 the number killed in the spring season while climbing mountains above 8,000 metres, of which Everest is one of several.

Murari Sharma, managing director at Everest Pariwar Treks, told the Kathmandu-based newspaper the climber was part of the six-member expedition led by Dani Fuller.

Mr Sharma told the paper: "The climbers along with his sherpa guide made it to the summit at around 8.30am."

He added that the climber died below the summit while a sherpa guide had also complained of illness and been rescued at a lower camp.

The reports come after a picture emerged showing queuing to reach the top of the mountain, on a part of the mountain called the "death zone".

For many people interested in climbing, Everest has become a serious ambition, with a number of trekking firms offering to help people achieve their goals, and reaching the highest point on earth is no longer restricted to professional mountaineers.

Concerns have been raised that too many climbers are being allow to attempt the summit in the narrow window when it is possible, with adventurer Ben Fogle tweeting on Friday in response to the picture: "Nepal and Tibet/China need to limit the number of climbers on the mountain with a London Marathon style lottery for climbing permits."

The picture was taken by Nirmal Purja, a former SBS and Gurkha soldier, who also summited the mountain as part of an attempt to conquer the 14 highest mountains in the world in seven months - a challenge that last took seven years.

Irishman Kevin Hynes, 56, died in his tent in the early hours of Friday at a height of 7,000 metres.

The father-of-two had texted friends the day before to say the expedition was "proving the most fun he had had".

His death comes a week after fellow Irishman Seamus Lawless, from Bray, Co Wicklow, fell as he was descending from the peak, having achieved his "lifelong dream" to scale the mountain.

A search operation was launched to find Mr Lawless, but his family said in a statement on Friday the mission had been called off due to adverse weather.

Some 41 teams with a total of 378 climbers have permits to scale the mountain this spring season, which ends this month.

An equal number of Nepalese guides are helping them reach the top.