A hiker was swept to his death by a devastating avalanche as he clambered down a 4,000ft mountain peak in Norway.

Victim Matteo Cazzola, 35, and three friends were descending the 4,229ft (1,289m) Kavringtinden peak when a wall of snow engulfed them on Friday, 31st March, according to local media.

The climbers were at a forest edge when the avalanche struck.

The cause of Cazzola’s death and whether his body has already been salvaged have not yet been revealed.

His 25-year-old pal Pietro De Bernardini was crushed against trees but survived and is being treated at the intensive care unit of a hospital in Tromso.

Another friend sustained minor injuries and two more escaped unhurt when their airbag rucksacks went off, keeping them above the snow as it thundered down the mountain.

Cazzola and his friends, all from the city of Vicenza, Veneto region, northern Italy, had decided to make the most of the last day of their five-day hiking holiday despite bad weather.

Three members of the group on the trip had decided to stay in their chalet.

Their return journey was scheduled for the next day.

On Instagram, Cazzola describes himself as an “explorer, skier, lifelong cyclist and renewable energy passionate”.