Spanish climbers who refused help face high price for rescue

TWO Spanish mountain climbers who refused help after getting stuck on a mountain in the Italian Dolomites are now facing a hefty bill to cover the costs of their eventual rescue.

The 36-year old woman and the 45-year old man from Barcelona were trapped on the Tre Cime de Lavaredo peak at an altitude of 2,750 metres for three days, but according to press reports resisted assistance twice because they were convinced they were not that far from the top and could make it on their own.

The pair are now looking at having to pay as much as €10,000 for being airlifted off the mountain by helicopter, media reports stated.

Under Italian law anyone who puts themselves in a situation of risk voluntarily has to meet the costs of the rescue operation.