British mountaineer presumed dead after going missing in the Himalayas is found alive

Rick Allen, 65, was spotted by a drone after falling off a cliff in the Himalayas and going missing for 36 hours. Photo / Supplied

This is the incredible moment a British mountaineer presumed dead was found alive by a drone in the Himalayas.

Rick Allen, 65, was spotted by the device on one of the world's highest mountains after he fell from an ice cliff and went missing for over 36 hours, reports Daily Mail.

The world-renowned climber, from Aberdeenshire, was returning from a hike to the top of Pakistan's Broad Peak - the world's 12th highest mountain at 26,401ft.

He slipped from an ice cliff and the alarm was raised when a base camp cook spotted the Scotsman's rucksack on the mountainside.

Polish mountaineer Bartek Bargiel and brother Andrzej deployed their high-tech drone DJI Mavic Pro to locate the British climber.

The pair shared the incredible footage to Bartek's Facebook page.

The drone was flown at an altitude of about 27,559ft around Broad Peak and K2, the world's second highest mountain.

The UAV found Allen still moving, and concerned colleagues were made aware of his exact location.

Allen had been missing for 36 hours and had no food.

Rick Allen, 65, was spotted by a drone after falling off a cliff in the Himalayas and going missing for 36 hours. Photo / Supplied

Afterwards, he was rescued by climbers and Sherpas and arrived at the base camp with minor injuries and a mild case of frostbite.

He was flown by helicopter for urgent treatment to his frozen toes.

The experienced mountaineer lost half a toe to frostbite during a previous expedition.

He was in the Himalayas with 63-year-old Scottish climbing partner Sandy Allan.

According to reports, Rick Allen decided to make a solo bid for the summit after his colleague decided to turn back due to high winds.

After being found by a drone, Allen has developed an appreciation for them whereas he was once "irritated" by the aerial vehicles.

The 65-year-old said: "This has changed my perception of them."