Dutch tourist dies in accident in western Nepal

updated 12:00 p.m. ET Oct. 6, 2008

KATMANDU, Nepal - Local officials say a Dutch tourist taking a picture of a river in western Nepal during a hike has fallen into a gorge and died.

Kaski district official Baliram Prasad Singh says Peter Ross was hiking Saturday near the resort town of Pokhara when he stopped to take a picture and lost his balance, falling roughly 150 feet (45 meters) down a gorge.

Singh says Ross, 49, was hiking with a friend who informed police of the accident. It took police and rescuers three hours to recover the body.

Pokhara is near the Seti river and surrounded by steep ravines and caves, which has made the town a popular tourist attraction. It is 125 miles (200 kilometers) west of Katmandu, the capital.

Don't miss these Travel stories from msnbc.com Uffa! $980 bill shocks Japanese couple dining in Italy Airline crew bares all to get passengers’ attention Road trip! Take on the open road this summer Cool tools: Surf the Web before you hit the road Dollar-saving strategies for summer travel

MORE FROM NEWS

News Section Front

Airline crew bares all to get passengers’ attention Comoros crash spotlights 3rd-world travel risks Mexican passenger jet blows 2 tires, lands safely Pa. man pleads guilty to smuggling gun on plane JetAmerica discount airline delays launch Uffa! Hefty bill shocks tourists dining in Italy United clears up glitch, travelers on their way Flight diverted after man disrobes mid-flight Feds threaten to seize six California parks Airports still battling bird strike problem News Section Front   Add News headlines to your news reader: