Terrifying final moments of woman who fell from 60ft mountain as friend screamed
An inquest into the tragic death of Maria Eftimova has revealed devastating details about the 28-year-old's final moments, with friends recalling how she 'tumbled through the air'
A young woman with "an insatiable thirst for life" met a tragic end while pursuing one of her great passions, with friends witnessing her terrifying final moments.
Maria Eftimova had been out hiking in the mountains of Snowdonia, Wales, with pals on February 22, shortly after completing a glacier climbing course in Norway. It was then that catastrophe struck, with Maria seen "tumbling through the air" as she plunged 60 ft from Tryfan mountain's notorious north ridge.
The 28-year-old structural engineer, who also had a significant social media presence as an influencer, was known for her adventurous spirit and was an experienced mountaineer.
At her inquest this week, where her death was ruled an accident, Maria's friend Harry Jones recalled how, out of the group of 20, seven hikers opted to follow a more challenging route to the summit.
READ MORE: Harrowing moment hiker saw friend 'freefall 65ft to death' on dangerous mountain walk
Fellow hiker Neil Oakes led the smaller group at the front, followed by Maria and Harry, with the scramblers making their way "single file" up the 3011ft (918m) mountain. Although strenuous, this has long been a popular hiking route for thrill-seekers. Just six days before the tragedy unfolded, Dr Charlotte Crook, 30, also died while climbing Glyder Fach, located in the same region.
As reported by North Wales Live, Harry said: "We travelled in single file, moving from ledge to ledge, once the person in front had vacated it. I could see on one particular ledge, Maria stopped in order to get a handhold to pull herself up. I was six feet below her, to the left. She swung her right leg up to pull herself up. I asked 'Got it well?' and she said 'I think so'."
It was then that Harry saw Maria "flying over" him, with the hiker telling the inquest how he "completely froze". Positioned above them, Neil looked away, not wanting to see the impact as Maria struck the rocky outcrop below. Sharing his own recollections of that day, Neil told the inquest: "I turned and saw Ms Eftimova tumbling through the air below me. She was already in freefall. I knew there was going to be an impact on the rocky outcrop below so I turned away for a split second.
"I was shouting 'No, no, no, no.' When I turned back, she was on the ledge below. I knew that it was serious. (Another hiker above) said 'What?" and I said 'She's gone. She's fallen'. I was in shock."
Other hikers helped Maria onto a more secure ledge, which was reached by other hikers, who called 999. One administered CPR until a Mountain Rescue Team and helicopter arrived to take Maria to the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation (OVMRT) base. Tragically, her injuries were too severe, and she didn't make it.
Discussing Maria's accident, the OVMRT team stated: "A group was ascending the north-ridge when one of them fell 20 metres into steep terrain. Passers-by with climbing equipment abseiled down and made her safe, and a team member already nearby made his way down and started CPR.
"Colleagues from Welsh Ambulance Service stood by at base while the Coastguard helicopter dropped team members onto the mountain. Unfortunately, the casualty had not survived her injuries, and she was brought down to Oggie base.
"The thoughts of all involved are with the casualties families and friends, thank you to all the members of the public who tried to help."
Taking to social media, a friend who performed CPR on Maria uploaded footage of the friendship group attempting a "Mexican wave" on Tryfan, just before the horror plunge.
Sharing her memories of desperately trying to revive Maria, Nargesse El Haiba wrote: "I have finally been brave enough to look at our final footage together.
"This will have been roughly 30 minutes before your tragic accident, and you taking your last breaths in front of me. I started CPR as soon as Flo and I got you safe, but heaven had already claimed you as their angel. I have grieved you and cried so much that I can't cry any more … I will never take the mountains for granted again."
Having carried out a post-mortem examination, consultant histopathologist Dr Muhammad Zain Mehdi confirmed concluded Maria died from a laceration to the brain, due to a fractured skull, caused by the fall.
Kate Robertson, senior coroner for north west Wales, also concluded Maria's death was accidental. Ms Robertson said: "It seems that Maria was scrambling with others when she has unintentionally and unexpectedly fallen, and during the course of that fall, she has sustained the injuries which have sadly led to her death."
Bulgaria-born Maria, who lived in St Helens, is fondly remembered as "the very definition of loving life". A University of Salford graduate, she loved engineering and had various adventurous interests, from snowboarding to surfing.
Tributes were paid online to "ambitious, bright and cherished" Maria via a JustGiving fundraiser, which was launched to raise £15,000 to bring her body back home to her family in Bulgaria. At the time of writing, the page has raised nearly £20,000.
Friend Victoria Critchley, who set up the page, said, "Maria was an ambitious, bright, and cherished 28-year-old whose vibrant personality, energy, and aura touched and uplifted all around her.
"She had a passion for engineering, having studied Civil Engineering at the University of Salford and a love for extreme sports. Her biggest passion being Snowboarding, which she was super excited for and looking forward to doing again on her upcoming trip to Austria.
"She had an insatiable thirst for life and exploring our world's beauty. Tragically, she was taken from her family far, far, far too soon!"
Another friend, Jem Elder, commented: "We will miss you everyday, forever Maria Eftimova. Your beautiful, uplifting spirt will always live on, you really were the very definition of loving life and living a happy, fulfilled life, inspiring others to follow in your footsteps. See you on the last climb."
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