The avalanche happened in the Chalmain Gap, a 700m-high pass in the Cairngorms. Photo: Angus CC-BY-SA-2.0

A third person who was avalanched in the Cairngorms has died in hospital.

Police said the man died from his injuries in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

A man and a woman who were airlifted from the site at the Chalamain Gap were pronounced dead yesterday.

The trio were buried in the avalanche on the route, which runs between the CairnGorm mountain ski area and the Lairig Ghru pass.

Two RAF helicopters joined members of the Cairngorm and RAF Lossiemouth Mountain Rescue Teams in the rescue operation, which also included members of the Search and Rescue Dogs Association Scotland.

A Northern Constabulary Spokesperson said: “Efforts continue to trace all next of kin and until this has been done there will be no further information issued.”