The walker is still missing on Ben Nevis. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Searches by rescuers on Ben Nevis have failed to find the missing walker who is believed to have fallen from the summit on Sunday when a cornice collapsed.

Two of the man’s companions were rescued from the top of the mountain, but the third walker remains missing.

Severe weather led to the searches, in Observatory Gully, being suspended.

Improved weather forecasts enabled members of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team to resume the operation on Thursday to look for evidence of the missing man.

A team spokesperson said: “Today it was snow depth making progress slow after more fresh accumulations.

“These build-ups of slab had released spontaneously but further evidence was observed in both Number Two and Number Five Gullies as we descended which wasn’t there on the way in.

“Sadly nothing new to add but at least four further significant slides of snow have come down since the person went missing in the area concerned.”

Lochaber MRT members during the search on Thursday