London-born Israeli dies climbing mountain in Ecuador
The family of Gil Banks, who was 25, moved to Israel 13 years ago
A London-born Israeli, 25-year-old Gil Banks, has died while climbing the Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador.
The hiker was the son of Steve Banks, originally from Glasgow, and Shelley, from Edgware, north London. The family made aliya 13 years ago and live today in Caesarea.
Cotopaxi is the second highest mountain in Ecuador and is a huge attraction for climbers — but very few climb alone. Mr Banks, a former member of an elite Israeli army unit, had been travelling in south America for some months before attempting the challenging climb.
Reports said that rangers at the nature reserve near the volcano had found Banks’ body and his documents, including his Israeli passport. Initial inquiries suggested he had fallen while making his climb.
The Israeli embassy in Ecuador said it had received reports about the tragedy in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The family were informed and arrangements were underway to send the body back to Israel for burial.
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