THE ALPS A climber has described how he guided his companion down Mont Blanc during a blizzard when she was struck by a life-threatening illness 300 metres from the summit.

Nigel Lindsell and Shauna Newman, left, were part of a 15-strong team that aimed to conquer Western Europe’s highest peak in a charity fundraising expedition.

But at 15,000ft (4,500 metres) the trek took a treacherous turn. Blasted by sub-zero 40mph (65km/h) winds and exhausted from lack of sleep, Ms Newman, 35, told her friend and colleague that she could not go on. After Mr Lindsell had helped her to the nearest shelter in temperatures as low as minus 20C (-4F), her condition deteriorated and she fell unconscious.

He said: “The winds were whipping up tremendously so we had to take her back down to the nearest mountain hut with our guide.

“As soon as we did, it was clear she’d gone into anaphylactic shock and we had to inject her with adrenalin because her whole body was shutting down.

“Our guide called for a mountain rescue helicopter and she was airlifted off, thank goodness.” Ms Newman has returned to Britain and is recuperating in hospital.

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