Prayers are to be held in the Scottish Highlands for four climbers who were swept to their deaths in an avalanche. The Rev Moira Herkes, who will lead a service at St Munda's Church in Glencoe, said it was "the worst accident to happen here for many years". The climbers were among a party of six on Bidean Nam Bian, a mountain near Glencoe. It is believed they were descending from a peak on the south side of the valley when the snow-covered slope they were crossing broke away, engulfing five of them and sending them hundreds of feet down the mountain. Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue teams and police were scrambled at about 2pm and following a major search two men and two women were found dead, buried beneath the snow. Another man who stayed with the teams to help the search survived, while a woman is in Belford hospital in Fort William with serious head injuries. The four dead climbers have yet to be named. Ms Herkes, whose church serves the nearby areas of Glencoe and Ballachulish, said the climbers would not be forgotten. "It is very distressing, because people come here for pleasure and when something like this happens it hurts everyone involved," she said. "This is a very beautiful place, but at times it can be very dangerous." Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond called it "an appalling tragedy", saying "to lose four people from a party of six is truly devastating." He thanked the police and mountain rescue teams, adding: "Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have been lost." Police are expected to interview the surviving man to find out exactly what happened during the tragedy. Anyone who is concerned about relatives climbing in the area are advised to contact Northern Constabulary's control room on 01463 715555. | 
