Everest climber defends leaving dying Briton

A New Zealand mountaineer, Mark Inglis, has defended his climbing team against criticism it should have halted its ascent on Mount Everest and helped a dying British climber.

Mr Inglis passed the Briton on the way to becoming the first double amputee to reach the summit of the world's highest peak.

David Sharp, a 34-year-old lone climber, had finally reached the summit of Everest after two unsuccessful attempts and was on his way back down when he ran out of oxygen.

Mr Inglis says his group came upon him as they pushed towards their goal.

"Trouble is at 8,500 metres it's extremely difficult to keep yourself alive, let alone anyone else alive," he said.

"On that morning, over 40 people went past this young Briton, no one helped him except for people from our expedition."

Mr Sharp's parents have reportedly said they do not blame other climbers for their son's death because their only responsibility was to save themselves.