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Three killed in Scotland avalanche

  • Story Highlights
  • Avalanche overtakes climbers on Buchaille Etive Mor in Glencoe, authorities say
  • One climber suffers shoulder injury; five escape unharmed
  • Blizzards hamper Royal Air Force rescuers' efforts
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(CNN) -- Three people died Saturday and a fourth was injured by an avalanche in the Scottish Highlands, a police spokeswoman said.

Those who died were among several groups climbing the Buchaille Etive Mor in the Glencoe region. The avalanche happened about noon Saturday (5 a.m. ET), according to the Northern Constabulary police.

In all, nine people in two parties were caught up in the avalanche, but five people escaped injury, police said.

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Rescuers from the Royal Air Force were sent to assist the climbers, but blizzards hampered their efforts, and rescue teams with search dogs had to be dropped on the mountain to continue on foot.

The injured person was being treated for a shoulder injury from the avalanche, police said.

CNN's Per Nyberg contributed to this report.

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