Major search operation for missing man on Ben Nevis

Rescuers say 27 crew members were joined by another 12 from other mountain rescue teams in the search for Tomas Gaffrick.

Peter Cassidy

23rd Feb 2020

A major search is under way for a missing man last seen on Ben Nevis.

The Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team say 27 crew members were joined by another 12 from mountain rescue teams in the search for Slovakian national Tomas Gaffrick.

Mr Gaffrick was last heard of on Thursday when he posted a short film of himself on the mountain on social media.

In the post he was just above Half Way Lochan on Ben Nevis but no one has heard from him since.

It is believed that he intended to visit “fjords” and rescuers are now keen to find out if he has been sighted elsewhere in fear that they might set out on a “wild goose chase” in poor conditions.

Heavy snow and winds of between 50-80mph are forecast for Monday making any searches around summits “extremely difficult”.

Posting on their facebook page on Sunday the LMRT said: “Twenty seven team members plus 12 other mountain rescuers from other teams and Rescue 151 have been searching for a missing person on Ben Nevis all day.

“The missing person, Tomas Gafrik from Slovakia was last heard of on Thursday morning when he posted on social media a short film of himself just above Half Way Lochan on Ben Nevis.

“Nothing has been heard of him since. His intention after going up Ben Nevis was to visit the “fjords” in this area so we need to check if he has been seen since in case the search on the Ben is a wild goose chase.”