Two of the three people who died following an avalanche in the Scottish Highlands were Royal Air Force personnel, Britain's defense ministry said Friday.

Emergency services responded to the avalanche in the Cairngorm mountains on Thursday and airlifted all three victims for emergency treatment.

A man and a woman died on Thursday night and police said the third victim died of his injuries Friday morning.

The Ministry of Defense confirmed that two of the victims were RAF personnel and said next of kin have been informed.

Avalanches in the area are not uncommon. The event Thursday was the third dangerous avalanche in the highlands this winter.

Officials urged hikers to take extra precautions and make sure they have proper equipment to cope with emergencies.