First picture: the British climber who 'swam' through avalanche unscathed

This is the first picture of the British climber who cheated death by “swimming” through a wall of snow and ice when he was caught up in an avalanche in the Italian Alps.

Alastair Swinton escaped with bruises after being hit by the avalanche as it hurtled down Europe’s highest peak Mont Blanc.

Police said the swimming action helped him to ride the avalanche near the surface and avoid being crushed.

Mr Swinton, originally from Fife, came to a halt after 700 metres and walked away virtually unscathed. He was with two other Britons, Ben Tibbetts and Misha Gopaul, as they made their way down the 4,800-metre mountain to their base camp on Tuesday.

The drama unfolded when the trio were on the Aiguelle de Bionnassy. Company director Mr Gopaul, 33, from London, and photographer Mr Tibbets, 31, from Hereford, were able to avoid it but their companion was carried away.

Mr Gopaul’s girlfriend, Mariza Smith, a yoga instructor from London, said: “I am glad that they are all okay.”