British tourist in 15,000ft climb of active volcano falls to his death
A BRITISH holidaymaker has died after plunging off a volcano in ecuador.
Gil Banks, 25, was climbing rucu Pichincha near the capital Quito when he fell to his death on Sunday.
the summit of rucu Pichincha stands at 15,413ft (4,698m). It is an active volcano which last erupted in 1998. In 2000, a steam explosion from the crater killed two scientists.
Friends paid tribute to the triathlete and keen runner.
triathlon coach eduardo Finkelstein said: ‘I remember him, with his wild red hair and great smile... he was an extraordinary
‘A remarkable young man’
runner. my sincerest condolences for the family at this time. You have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support.
‘Wishing you peace, comfort, courage and lots of love at this time of sorrow.’
Neighbour and friend michael Sapir described mr Banks as a ‘remarkable young man’. He said he was ‘an incredible athlete. Smart and ambitious, warm and generous with a big friendly heart to all who knew him’.
Childhood friend oz Hochman said that mr Banks was ‘a perfect and loving friend’. He added: ‘It was a great honour and fun for me to be part of his journey that was supposed to end completely differently.
‘I can’t believe I’m separating from you but, on the other hand, I know that experiences with you will accompany me until the end of the world.’
mr Banks grew up in Glasgow and attended mearns Castle High School in Newton mearns, renfrewshire. He is understood to have relocated to Caesarea in Israel with his family some years ago.
the Israeli embassy in ecuador confirmed his death in a statement. It said: ‘We express our solidarity for this sensitive loss and extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends.’ the first recorded climb of the volcano’s higher peak –Guagua Pichincha, at 15,696ft (4,784m) – was in 1582, by a group of locals.
the mountain was once considered sacred by indigenous people. the volcano was the subject of pioneering work by French geographer and adventurer Charles- marie de La Condamine, who described hellish scenes in its crater as like the ‘underworld’.
De La Condamine and members of the French Geodesic mission spent 23 days on the summit of rucu Pichincha as part of their work.
Pichincha’s most recent eruption, which began in august 1998, saw Quito city, which lies below, covered in several inches of ash.