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A fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of three climbers on Aonach Eagach, a rugged mountain ridge in Glen Coe, concluded that all three likely died after one or more slipped while roped together. The victims—David Fowler, a 39-year-old mountain guide, along with climbers Graham Cox, 60, and Hazel Crombie, 64—fell in August 2023. The inquiry, held at Fort William Sheriff Court, gathered testimonies from Scotland’s climbing community and statements from the families of the deceased.
Sheriff Neil Wilson, who led the inquiry, emphasized a personal connection to the tragedy due to his own mountaineering background. He expressed his gratitude to the families for their heartfelt contributions during the proceedings. The sheriff’s official determination stated that the climbers died of multiple injuries sustained in the fall. He identified a slip or fall as the probable cause of the accident, explaining that no reasonable preventive measures could have averted the tragedy.
Despite the conclusion, concerns were raised during the inquiry regarding the adequacy of information provided to Cox and Crombie about rope use. Additionally, the sheriff pointed out a lack of thorough pre-climb discussions concerning the climbers’ experience and competence levels prior to embarking on the challenging ridge. It was noted that Fowler possessed significant guiding expertise, underscoring his competence in mountaineering. Sheriff Wilson extended condolences to the families, acknowledging how deeply loved and missed the three individuals were.
Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks underscored the inherent dangers associated with mountaineering, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the investigation. He remarked that the sheriff’s findings revealed important considerations for the mountain guiding community when planning and preparing for trips. The ridge itself, described as exposed and requiring scrambling—a climbing technique involving the use of hands for balance—posed significant challenges. Search efforts following the climbers’ disappearance on August 5, 2023, involved the Inverness coastguard helicopter, Glencoe and RAF mountain rescue teams, and navigated mist and fog in difficult terrain. The accident occurred near the summit of Am Bodach, at the eastern end of the ridge, an area well known for its popularity among climbers. The Aonach Eagach ridge features a series of peaks, with the highest being Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh, standing at 967 meters (3,172 feet)
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