A LANGUAGE school operator has been charged with health and safety breaches over the death of a Swiss student who plunged more than 300 feet into a Lake District ravine.

Elisabeth Huber, 68, from Heimberg, was killed when she fell from a footpath into Dungeon Ghyll in April last year.

Tim Melling, 57, of Nab Cottage, Rydal, is charged with failing to ensure his clients were not exposed to risks by failing to carry out a practical risk assessment, considering the forecasted wind for that day, considering guidance on mountain safety and obtaining an industry standard qualification.

Secondly, he is charged with failing to make a sufficient risk assessment, taking into account the weather and a route that would avoid steep terrain.

A third charge alleges that Melling failed to notify the relevant enforcing authority of Ms Huber’s death within 10 days.

Melling did not indicate a plea when he appeared at South Lakeland Magistrates Court. The hearing was adjourned to Carlisle Crown Court.