Mount Everest death toll rises to 10 as British man dies after reaching summit

A British climber has died on Mount Everest bringing the death toll to 10 this season on the world's largest peak, officials said.

Robin Fisher, 44, was an "aspirational adventurer" who still had many more dreams to fulfil, his family said as they paid tribute to him on Saturday.

Mr Fisher, who was born in Burton-upon-Trent and lived in Birmingham, died on his descent after reaching the summit of the mountain.

His family added that he "lived life to the full".

It comes after a photograph was widely shared online showing a huge queue of climbers on the approach to the summit of the mountain.

There are fears that a record number of attempts to climb Everest is putting lives at risk.

Mr Fisher's family said: "He achieved so much in his short life, climbing Mont Blanc, Aconcagua and Everest.

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

"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.

"Robin is a much loved and loving son, brother, partner, uncle, and friend."

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are in contact with relevant tour operators following reports that British climber has died on Mount Everest and are ready to provide support to the family."

Mr Fisher reached the summit on Saturday but collapsed just 150 metres back down the slope.

"Our guides tried to help but he died soon after," Murari Sharma of Everest Parivar Expedition told AFP.

Guides had changed Mr Fisher's oxygen bottle and offered him water but could not save him, Reuters reported.

It follows the death of an Irish man in the early hours of Friday morning while attempting to climb the peak.

Four climbers from India and one each from the United States, Austria and Nepal have also died on Everest in the past week.

Kevin Hynes, 56, from Ireland died in his tent at 7,000 metres after turning back before reaching the summit.

A second Irish mountaineer is presumed dead after he slipped and fell close to the summit.

Trinity College professor Seamus (Shay) Lawless, aged 39 and from Bray, Co Wicklow, fell during his descent from the peak having achieved a lifetime ambition of reaching the summit.

The search for Mr Lawless has been called off.

A Trinity statement said: "It is with deep sadness that we have learnt this evening that the search for our friend and colleague, Seamus (Shay) Lawless, has been unsuccessful.

"While the experienced search team has made every effort to locate Shay, the extremes of operating at high altitude and the sheer range of the search area ultimately proved too difficult and based on expert advice the Lawless family have decided to call off the search rather than risk endangering anyone's life in the treacherous conditions."