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A BRITISH pensioner has died after getting into difficulty while scaling a wall of ice in the Italian Alps.

Stephen Lismore, 72, was descending the ice-covered rock face with a friend when the horrifying incident occurred.

A man in a blue and white motorcycle suit stands smiling in front of an Oulton Park garage with motorcycles inside.
Stephen Lismore is thought to have died of hypothermia
 

A man in sunglasses standing between two motorcycles on an asphalt surface.
The tragic event took place in Lillaz, near Cogne
Officials said the climber mistook an opening in the ice wall for a safe route down and began to descend, before being struck by freezing water from nearby rapids.

Unable to climb back out in the sub-zero temperatures, he quickly succumbed to hypothermia.

An investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of death.

This tragic sequence of events unfolded a popular ice climbing spot in Lillaz, near Cogne on Saturday.

Guidebooks describe the three-tiered, 150-metre waterfall as “stunning.”

In winter, the falls freeze over, creating a challenging and dangerous climb for those brave enough to attempt it.

A rescuer told The Daily Mail: “The victim was in a double cord with a companion at the top of waterfall.

“He was climbing down when we think he mistakenly entered an aperture in the ice wall and was then overcome by ice cold water.

“At this point we are not sure whether he drowned or died from hypothermia because of the water but an autopsy will establish that.”

The rescuer went on to describe how the terrible incident unfolded.

“His companion raised the alarm and initially we were led to believe it was a simple cord incident, but when we arrived it became apparent what happened,” they said.

“The conditions were good we just think he was confused because it was dark at the time and this added to the difficulty of the rescue operation as well.”

The Sun has approached the Foreign Office for comment.

Tragically, this marks the latest in a long line of British deaths in the Alps since the start of 2026.

In January, a 55-year-old man was died after being swept away by an avalanche in the Chamonix valley.

The victim was eventually discovered by members of the ski patrol.

While inspecting the area they discovered the victim’s elbow, which had not been completely buried.

Medics were flown on to the mountain by helicopter but, tragically, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The mountain police said: “The victim was a 55-year-old man of English origin.

“The reasons for the triggering of this kilometre-long and 400-metre-wide flow are currently unknown and an investigation is underway.”

Cadini Di Misurina and Sorapis mountains covered with snow, Dolomites, Italy
An investigation is now underway to determine the official cause of deathCredit: Getty