Helicopter rescuer may have cut rope to stranded climber

A climber who died during a rescue attempt on Ben Nevis was described last night as a “beloved husband” and an “absolute gent”.

Mark Phillips fell as a winchman was trying to transfer him from his climbing rope to the winch cable hanging below the RAF Lossiemouth helicopter.

It is understood the winchman may have cut the rope securing Mr Phillips, 51, to the mountain, causing him to fall several hundred feet further.

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