Austrian tourist dies while climbing Ayers Rock

A 63-year-old Austrian man has died of a heart attack while climbing Ayers Rock in the Australian Outback.

The man died at the top of the steepest section of a walking track on Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock.

Police spokesman Gavin Gleeson said a doctor went to the man's assistance while an air ambulance was called but the tourist died before paramedics arrived.

The tourist, whose name was not released, was on a tour of the Outback.

Uluru rises 1,150 feet above the desert plains of central Australia.

The steep climb to the summit is made by thousands of tourists each year, despite pleas from Aborigines to remain off the rock, which they consider sacred.

Authorities also warn tourists against climbing the rock, which has claimed many lives.