THE body of a former York man who died in February during an avalanche in Spain has finally been recovered, writes Richard Catton.

According to reports from Spain last night, the body of John Hogbin, 41, was found in the Sierra Nevada mountains, close to where he was last seen by fellow mountaineers when the deadly avalanche struck.

Mr Hogbin, an experienced mountaineer, was born in York and lived in Woodlea Avenue in Acomb before the family emigrated when he was young.

It is understood his funeral will take place close to his home town of Zafarraya.

Mr Hogbin’s brother is reported to have expressed his relief that the body had finally been found and said “the worst has now passed.”

Both brothers, Allan and Manuel, and Mr Hogbin’s father Christopher, a mechanic and former aircraft fitter, had helped rescue teams in daylight searches.

The avalanche on February 20 was one of the largest recorded in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Mr Hogbin’s two climbing companions at the time managed to escape.

Spanish authorities said the large amount of snow in the area had hampered the search effort and it had not been until Wednesday that the body was located.