Latest news with #GlencoeMountainRescueTeam
Scottish Sun
28-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
‘It's a miracle he survived', hillwalker plunges 160ft in horror sheer drop fall on Scots mountain
'Where he fell has almost certain fatal consequences. He was very lucky indeed' RESCUE MISSION 'It's a miracle he survived', hillwalker plunges 160ft in horror sheer drop fall on Scots mountain Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HILLWALKER has baffled rescuers after miraculously surviving plunging more than 160 feet in Glen Coe. The man in his 30s fell from a precarious ledge over 1600 feet up an iconic Scottish mountain. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The man in his 30s fell from a precarious ledge over 1600 feet up an iconic Scottish mountain Rescuers said he faced a sheer drop fall with 'almost certain fatal consequences'. The man was with a group on Gearr Aonach, the middle of the Three Sisters range in Glen Coe. But he fell in an area known as The Zig Zags last weekend. Five members of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team were scrambled while another rescue was happening at the same time in Glen Etive – and what turned out to be the third in a day. 'He fell on a vertical drop of 164 feet,' said deputy team leader Brian Bathurst. 'It has become a particular accident blackspot – with three call outs recently to that same spot. It appears people are misjudging the junction. 'He hit a ledge on the way down and suffered multiple injuries and was in a critical condition. It is a miracle he survived. It is very rocky terrain. 'Where he fell has almost certain fatal consequences. He was very lucky indeed.' An Inverness-based coastguard search and rescue helicopter flew the walker to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. His condition is unknown but is no longer life threatening. Watch shock moment couple cheat death as they fall off 5,000ft mountain while taking risky shortcut to avoid queue The team was so short-handed that day that veteran rescuer Ronnie Rogers, who is in his 70s, helped out with the Glen Etive rescue involving a man who suffered broken ribs after falling into a burn. 'Knowing we were going to be short handed, Ronnie once again laced up his boots and raced into the Glen to help despite the fact that after 50 years he officially 'retired' from front line team duties in November 2022,' added Mr Bathurst. 'He is a legend. Since stepping back, Ronnie has helped with team callouts by calling team members on the phone to deploy them to incidents so was well aware that help was needed that day. 'We would like to wish all the casualties well in their recovery and as always a huge thank you to the helicopter crews and everyone else involved.'
STV News
06-05-2025
- General
- STV News
Inquiry into deaths of three climbers on mountain ridge
An inquiry into the deaths of three climbers in Glencoe is due to be held this August. Dave Fowler, 39, Graham Cox, 60, and Hazel Crombie, 64, died after falling from the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe in August 2023. The three climbers had been reported missing on August 5 before their bodies were found by Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) volunteers. Sheriff Neil Wilson told a hearing he expected the inquiry to be held on August 18 and 19 at Fort William Sheriff Court. A further preliminary hearing is due to be held on June 9. Graham Cox had travelled from Southport in England to traverse Aonach Eagach. Google Maps The area where the climbers were recovered. Google Maps The climb along Aonach Eagach, Gaelic for 'the Notched Ridge', covers 10km and includes two Munros – Meall Dearg and Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh. It shrinks to three metres at its narrowest and stands at an elevation of up to 968m at its highest. Mr Fowler was a mountaineering expert based in Fort William, and worked with West Coast Mountain Guides to offer guided traverses across Scotland's trickiest terrain. He was working when the accident unfolded. In tributes on social media, he was described as a 'mountain hero' and an 'inspiration' to those in the hiking and climbing community. Graham Cox had travelled from Southport in England to traverse Aonach Eagach. In a statement to the Liverpool Echo, his family said: 'Graham Cox was a much-loved husband, father, son and brother. He is remembered by all as the kindest, loveliest man. 'The family is devastated by his loss.' Hazel Crombie, a keen climber from Doune, was described as 'much-loved'. Her loved ones asked for donations to be made to Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team in her memory. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
