A Norfolk adventurer dramatically escaped death after outrunning an avalanche on Mount Everest which was triggered by the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

Selina Dicker survived the terrifying ordeal but a fellow climber in her party died and two others suffered life-threatening injuries.

Her story emerged as the death toll from the earthquake rose to 2,500 with at least 17 killed and 61 injured on Mount Everest.

The 38-year-old's mother Gail described her relief after hearing her daughter was safe. After a nervous wait, Mrs Dicker and her husband Christopher were informed yesterday morning by the group that had organised the expedition that Miss Dicker, of Ranworth, near Norwich, was safe.

Later in the day, they were able to get in contact with their daughter via satellite telephone, who told them about her terrifying ordeal in which her group tried to outrun the avalanche after it piled through their base camp.

She and a couple of team members rushed to a ridge which meant they were able to stay safe, but colleague Daniel Fredinburg was killed and two others were injured as they continued to try to outrun the avalanche.

Mrs Dicker said: 'I am absolutely relieved she's alive - she's a very lucky girl.

'I was horrified when I heard the news, but I am overjoyed to know she is one piece – but terribly sad for all the people that have lost their lives.'

The disaster comes a year after Miss Dicker was at base camp during another expedition of Mount Everest, when a group of local guides who had gone ahead were struck by an avalanche, killing one and leaving five injured.

Mrs Dicker said: 'It's so sad that there has been such a tragic incident again. After what has happened there last year and now this year, I really don't want to let her back out there and I just want to see her home.'

Miss Dicker began her expedition organised by Sheffield based-firm Jagged Globe at the end of March and had celebrated her 38th birthday out there on April 5.

In a written statement the firm said: 'It is with the greatest sorrow that we report the death of one of our Everest team members Daniel Fredinburg. Two other team members have non life-threatening injuries and all Sherpas and other team members are uninjured and safe.'

Miss Dicker grew up in Ranworth, where her parents still live, and she now lives in London where she works in financial services for Europa Capital Mezzanine Limited.

Mrs Dicker told how her daughter, who had been doing the expedition for children's medical charity Operation Smile, and her team members had joined the rescue efforts to look for survivors.

The group have lost most of their possessions and are down to basics, with Miss Dicker currently having to wear another person's clothes.

The expedition has been cancelled and the latest report from camp is that they are hoping to get a flight from Lukla to Kathmandu in Nepal to begin their journey home.

However, it is uncertain when Miss Dicker will arrive home as there are expected to be lots of people attempting to get out of Lukla and Kathmandu in the upcoming days.