Alpine Rescue

Every season in the French Alps, thousands of visitors tackle Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe. These days most of them are clutching mobile phones - and just as well, as many will get into difficulties.

Last year the helicopter-borne mountain rescue team was called out 1,500 times - ten times a day during the summer peak - and, despite the best efforts of the doctors, rescuers and pilots, 51 climbers and skiers died.

This six-part series follows the work of the team, who in the first episode successfully rescue an injured British soldier, a climber and his friend who nearly perished in a collapsed crevasse, and a German father and son lost in a snowstorm.

It has its moments, but most of the time it makes for surprisingly dull viewing.

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