"Much sadness and deep regret" at death of climbers

A woman from Durham is fighting for her life after surviving an avalanche that killed four other climbers.

The 24 year old, who has not been named, was part of a group walking near Glencoe, in the Scottish Highlands when they were engulfed by snow on Saturday.

One of those who died was Una Finnegan, a doctor who trained at Newcastle University.

One member of the group survived by leaping from the collapsing sheet of snow and stabbing an ice axe into firmer ground.

He released this statement through the police.