Canadian woman dies after being caught in snowstorm in Italian Dolomites

MILAN — A 56-year-old Canadian woman died after being caught in a sudden snowstorm in the Italian Dolomites and her companion was being treated for severe hypothermia, the Italian Alpine Rescue Corps said Friday.

The two climbers, exhausted and suffering from hypothermia, called for help Thursday night after being hit by the snowstorm about two kilometers from a mountain hut. The hikers were not identified by name or hometown.

Rescuers managed to reach them, but bad weather prevented two attempts to evacuate the woman by helicopter, whose condition was worsening. She later died on the mountain.

Rescuers set up a tent to shelter the 56-year-old hiker overnight until the storm cleared and a helicopter could rescue him early Friday. He was treated at a hospital in the northern Italian city of Bolzano.