Spanish hiker falls to death in French Pyrenees

A 26-year-old Spanish hiker suffered a fatal fall while hiking on the French side of the Pyrenees mountains, rescue workers said Sunday.

The accident occurred on Saturday near the Pic de Pinede summit in the Cirque d’Estaube.

His hiking partner was out of range to make telephone contact and descended to the Spanish side to raise the alert.

Rescue workers found the body of the young man, who died on the spot after a fall of 150 to 200 metres from an altitude of 2,860 metres (9,440 feet), a police officer said.

The body was winched up by a helicopter, he said.