Michael Machell

A mountain rescuer paid tribute to a former colleague who died in a climbing accident.

Michael Machell, a one-time member of the Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team, was killed in the incident in California at the weekend.

The 23-year-old was a former student at the Ambleside campus of the University of Cumbria, where he graduated with a first-class honours degree.

He was a member of the rescue team between 2008 and 2011 while at the university and took part in about 170 rescues during his time with the Lake District team.

Team leader Nick Owen said: “Michael was a great friend, a regular climbing partner, and a committed team member. His youthful energy and boundless enthusiasm was infectious.

“He will be sadly missed by all current and former team members.”

Mr Owen added: “He was a great personal friend and we enjoyed many goods times in the mountains and elsewhere.”

Mr Machell had gone to the United States to study for a year at the University of California at Berkeley. He died in the incident at Lake Tahoe on Saturday. Mr Owen said his interest in mountain rescue was just one manifestation of his deep love for climbing and the outdoors.