Desperate search to find pair missing on Ben Nevis

FEARS were growing last night for a couple missing on Ben Nevis in temperatures as low as - 8C.

Rachel Slater, 24, and Tim Newton, 27, have not been seen since last weekend and searches by Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team have so far failed to find any trace of the pair.

The latest search was suspended yesterday afternoon because of treacherous weather.

The experienced climbers, from Bradford, were camping in a green tent behind the Charles Inglis Clark memorial hut on the north side of the mountain as temperatures plummeted last weekend.

Police released a photograph of the couple wearing similar clothing on an earlier climb.

On an internet climbing forum, Patrick Roman recalled seeing the pair on the Scottish mountain.

He wrote: “I was outside the CIC on Saturday morning. There were two people matching the image in the photo. He was wearing a red jacket and she a green and turquoise jacket.”

The mountain rescue team has posted a request for information on its Facebook page.

Responding to the message, Tony Walker wrote: “The missing persons are Rachel Slater ( my niece) and her partner Tim Newton.

“Both very experienced climbers. Most likely they are wearing the same clothing as in the photo. Any info greatly appreciated.”