Film-maker fell like a 'rag doll' down Skye mountainside

BBC News

25-03-2025

A film-maker has said he is lucky to be alive after tumbling 35m (115ft) down a rocky mountainside on Skye's Cuillin Ridge.Worcester-based Erik Krasovskis fell near the peak Sgùrr nan Eag last Wednesday.He was knocked unconscious and his body went limp like a "rag doll" before he came to a stop on a small ledge - saving him from falling a further 50m (164m)."If that little ledge hadn't stopped me there would have been lethal consequences," said Mr Krasovskis, who survived the ordeal with relatively minor injuries.
He thanked rescuers who quickly went to his aid.Two climbers in the area at the time gave him first aid, and volunteers from Skye Mountain Rescue Team assisted a coastguard helicopter crew in flying him from the scene to hospital in Inverness.
The Cuillin Ridge is described in climbing as one of Europe's best mountaineering routes.It is seven miles (11km) long and its summits include 11 Munros - which are peaks over 914m (3,000ft).Completing the ridge - known as a traverse - involves climbing and scrambling, crossing a slopes often covered in loose rocks, using hands and feet.
Mr Krasovskis and his friend Zak were on the ridge filming.As other climbers often do, they camped on the ridge overnight before completing the traverse the following day.The 28-year-old, who makes films for outdoor sportswear and equipment brands, said: "The trip was going really well. "We were getting good footage. It was nice, sunny, dry weather. "Everything was going to plan."While scrambling, Mr Krasovskis' backpack of camera equipment threw him off balance as he made a short hop from higher to lower ground."The backpack pulled me back and the next thing I knew I was rolling down 35m for about 10-20 seconds," he said."I hit my head and I was knocked unconscious. This meant my body relaxed and I fell like a rag doll."My doctor said this saved me from serious injury because I wasn't fighting against the fall."
Mr Krasovskis' fall was stopped by the small rocky ledge and he regained consciousness.He said: "I tried to stand up and I said to Zak 'I think I'm good'."I said we could try and walk down."Zak said: 'No chance. Your head is bleeding'. I hadn't realised how far I had fallen."Mr Krasovskis was wrapped in sleeping bags by his friend and emergency services were alerted."The mountain rescue team and helicopter paramedics saved my life," he said."I have to thank them for helping me so quickly."Mr Krasovskis needed stitches to a head wound and treatment for fractured fingers.He said: "I was extremely lucky."Thirteen members of Skye MRT assisted in the incident.It was the team's first callout to the ridge of this year.