British climbers killed in Alps

Jules Cartwright and Julie Colverd were descending Piz Badile

Two British climbers were killed after falling 150 metres onto a mountain side in Switzerland, it has emerged.

Jules Cartwright, 29, and 43-year-old Julie Colverd were roped together when they slipped on their descent of the 10,850ft Piz Badile in Graubunden.

Mr Cartwright, from Herefordshire but now living in Sheffield, was guiding Ms Colverd, from Essex, when the accident happened on Wednesday morning.

Two other members of the four-strong group were airlifted to safety.

It is extremely rare for a guide to be killed. It is not an easy time Nick Banks, British Mountain Guides

A local police spokesman said the pair fell from the mountain's north-east face and were probably killed instantly.

Helicopters and mountain rescue guides were used to recover the bodies.

Mr Cartwright, who was in the final stages of qualifying as a professional mountain guide, was helping his client Ms Colverd when they fell.

Nick Banks, president of the British Mountain Guides, said: "We are a very close-knit organisation, we all work together. It is always a big blow when this happens.

"It is extremely rare for a guide to be killed. It is not an easy time."

The organisation's secretary, Alun Richardson, said the Piz Badile attracted a wide variety of climbers.

"It is a popular and famous mountain with routes of all grades to tackle. The north face of the Piz Badile is one of the classic north faces in the Alps," he said.

Police tribute

The Metropolitan Police said it was deeply saddened by the death of Ms Colverd, who joined the service in 1982 and worked as an officer in East London.

She had been a member of the Specialist Firearms Unit for the past 11 years.

Ch Supt Paul Robinson, head of the unit, said: "We are all shocked by the sudden loss of a popular officer greatly respected and valued by her colleagues in the Met.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with her mother, brother and many friends at this difficult time.

"We will all miss her hugely and are trying to come to terms with this sad and tragic news."

British climber Rachel Kelsey, from London, was winched to safety off the mountain's north ridge in October 2003 after sending an SOS text message to a friend.