British Woman Debra Wilding Dies During Mount Everest Trek

A British mother has died of suspected altitude sickness after trekking in the Everest region.

Debra Wilding, 49, was found dead in her hotel room after complaining of breathing difficulties after hiking back from an Everest base camp with her daughter.

Wilding, believed to be from the north west, fell ill after returning from the Nepalese camp, which is 17,700 feet (5,364m) above sea level.

A Nepal police spokesperson said: "Her body is in the hospital and in the process of a post- mortem.

"We cannot say the cause of death yet but she was found in a hotel room. The doctors will say what happened. Her daughter is at the hospital."

Local police official Purushottam Silwal told the AFP news agency: "She possibly died of altitude sickness. Her body was airlifted to Kathmandu for a post-mortem."

Altitude sickness, which can result in headaches, vomiting, nausea and dizziness, is brought on when people ascend great heights too quickly. It usually occurs above 8,000 feet.

Autumn is considered to be the peak trekking season in the Himalayas.

The Foreign Office said: "We are aware of the death of a British national in Nepal on October 6 2014.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."