Ben Nevis death 'murder' claim

Ben Nevis death 'murder' claim

Howard Keeley may have been murdered

Detectives have reopened their inquiry into the death of a teacher on Ben Nevis more than 40 years ago, after a former pupil revealed that he could have been murdered.

Howard Keeley's death during a school trip to Britain's highest mountain in 1962 was originally thought to have been an accident.

But police are now looking at the possibility that he fell 1000ft down the mountain after being pushed.

The Sunday Post reported that the former pupil, who is now 51, recently told police that he helped cover up the truth about what happened to the 23-year-old teacher.

Former pupils

Mr Keeley died while taking the party from Balgowan School in Dundee on a trip up the mountain, near Fort William, in the Highlands.

Detectives are said to have interviewed the former pupil and to have spoken to two others, who deny they killed their teacher.

The former pupil is thought to have told police that Mr Keeley was kicked as he stood on the mountain's edge.

Police have been frustrated by being unable to locate rescuers who attended the scene of Mr Keeley's death.

It is understood that current mountain rescue teams on Ben Nevis have been asked to assist the police.

'Early stage'

Terry Confield of Lochaber Mountain Rescue said records do not go back that far.

He said that, at the time of the death, mountain rescue was not as organised as it is today and he had been unable to trace anyone who was involved.

A spokesman for Northern Constabulary said detectives were looking into the the case.

He said: "Northern Constabulary is investigating the death of a man on Ben Nevis, a death which occurred in 1962.

"As these inquiries are at a very early stage we will not be commenting further at this time."