Ueli Steck was killed while trying to climb Mount Everest and the Lhotse.

The renowned mountaineer Ueli Steck, known for his rapid ascents of the Alps which earned him the nickname the “Swiss Machine”, has died in an accident in Nepal near Mount Everest.

Steck, who was 40 and one of the most celebrated climbers of his generation, was killed today after falling to the foot of Mount Nuptse, a smaller peak in the area, according to Mingma Sherpa of the Seven Summit Treks company that had organised the expedition.

In a statement, the climber’s family said the circumstances surrounding his death were still unclear. “The family is infinitely sad and asks that the media refrain from speculating about his death out of respect for Ueli,” they said. “As soon as reliable information becomes available, the media will be informed.”

INFO: Ueli Steck website