A climber found dead in Co Down may have been struck by lightning as he was about to take shelter from a storm, it emerged today.
Police confirmed a post mortem examination revealed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man's death in the Mourne mountains.
A group of walkers discovered the body, which was partially covered with snow, yesterday at the entrance to a stone shelter at the top of Slieve Donard.
The PSNI declined to reveal how the man died but it is understood he may have been hit by a bolt of lightening.
Ed Kilgore, of the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team said the climber, who is believed to be in his 30s, was well-equipped and had plenty of food with him.
Mr Kilgore estimated the body could have been lying on the peak for up to two days.
A PSNI search and rescue team and police doctor were airlifted to the scene in an Dublin-based coastguard helicopter after the alarm was raised at 2pm yesterday.
Around 850 metres high, Slieve Donard is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland.