Noel Hanna: Mountaineer dies in Nepal expedition

Noel Hanna, a salient mountaineer from Dromara successful County Down, has died successful Nepal.

It is understood that Mr Hanna died portion connected an expedition to Annapurna, the 10th highest upland successful the world.

In 2018, helium became the archetypal idiosyncratic from the land of Ireland to successfully acme and descend K2.

Mr Hanna had scaled the 8,091m (26,545ft) Annapurna highest connected Monday and died overnight astatine a campy aft making his descent, Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports.

BBC Nepali accidental determination are section reports that his assemblage has been airlifted to the superior Kathmandu.

A 2nd climber from India is besides reportedly missing aft falling into a crevasse.

Banjo Bannon, a climber from Newry who was the 2nd idiosyncratic from Northern Ireland to scope Mt Everest successful 2003, said: "Noel had it successful his caput that helium was going to bash each 14 peaks implicit 8,000m. That was his extremity and dream."

Mourne Mountain Adventures, a guided hiking institution based successful Kilkeel, has paid tribute to Mr Hanna.

In a social media post, the institution said: "There is immoderate bid successful that helium spent his past moments doing what helium loved best, specified a large antheral and 1 of N Ireland's finest mountaineers."

Dan McFarland, the caput manager astatine Ulster Rugby, tweeted: "Very bittersweet to perceive of Noel's passing. Noel was a large inspiration to this team.

"All our thoughts are with Lynne and Noel's family."