Climber who fell 56ft and may lose legs is suing partner who 'let go of rope'

Daily Mirror

25-05-2025

David Littlejohn, 55, suffered horrific injuries after falling down a 56 feet ravine at Avon Gorge, Bristol, and he is now suing his climbing partner Shane Williams for £1million in compensation
A climber who broke his neck and may be forced to have both legs amputated blames his partner for allegedly letting go of the rope.
David Littlejohn, 55, is reportedly suing Shane Williams for £1million compensation following the accident at Avon Gorge, Bristol, in May, 2023. He broke his sternum, pelvis and feet after falling down a 56 feet rock face. They were taking part in a climb known as the Arms Race when he put his weight on the rope under the impression that Mr Williams had a firm grip on it.
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And he claims that his climbing partner let go of the rope without telling him, with the result that he went crashing down the rock face.
Two years on from the accident and Mr Littlejohn still has constant back pain, his orthopaedic surgeon reportedly told a court, and he may need to have both legs amputated if reconstructive surgery on his feet does not work out.
Mr Littlejohn also claims that he suffers from anxiety and depression as well as panic attacks since his fall. Documents presented to the High Court allege that he is only able to walk using a four-wheel aid.
He is also said that he trusted Mr Williams as capable as he was a member of The Climbers Club, where members must be proposed and then seconded before they can join. In the court documents he alleges that Mr Williams failed to have 'due regard for his personal safety' and act in accordance with his experience as a competent amateur climber.
Mr Littlejohn, of Lymsham, near Weston-super-Mare, told The Telegraph: 'I hope this will be resolved quickly given the serious impact of my severe injuries on me, my family and my work life.'
Stephanie Clarke of Stewarts Law, Mr Littlejohn's solicitor, states in the claim: 'The Defendant had let go of the rope or otherwise taken the Claimant off belay where it had not been clearly and unequivocally communicated by the Claimant as leader that this was required.'
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Mr Williams's legal team at Browne Jacobson solicitors have yet to file a defence against the claim with the court. The Mirror has contacted Browne Jacobson for a statement.
It comes after a rock climber who plunged around 400ft down a mountain somehow hiked to his car in the dark and then drove to a pay phone to call for help. Anton Tselykh, 38, survived the ordeal against all odds as, despite suffering internal bleeding and head trauma, he staggered for more than 12 hours to the pay phone.
He was desperate to call for help for his three companions; Vishnu Irigireddy, Tim Nguyen and Oleksander Martynenko, who also fell down the steep terrain in North Cascades National Park in Washington, United States. The three friends sadly died of their injuries.
Anton managed to extricate himself from a tangle of ropes, helmets and other equipment to leave on his rescue mission on Saturday. He is now in hospital receiving treatment for various injuries, including the head wound.