An 80-year-old man has died after falling from Striding Edge yesterday.
Sydney Ambrose Smith, of Threlkeld in Cumbria, was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital after tumbling 90m (300ft) from the edge on Helvellyn. He was walking alone at the time.
Striding Edge
Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team went to aid the stricken walker and a helicopter from RAF Kinloss airlifted him to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.
The coroner Ian Smith has been informed.
In January this year, two men died on Helvellyn within four days of each other. David Burke of Newcastle fell to his death from Striding Edge following the fatal fall of Michael Hollinshead, of Bolton, Greater Manchester, who was blown from the summit plateau into Brown Cove.
A ten-year-old boy and his father survived a fall on Striding Edge in March this year.
Striding Edge is classed as a grade-one scramble, with little technical difficulty but long sections with exposure to fall.
This winter, fell-top weather assessors warned that Helvellyn had become liable to avalanche.
Guest
07 May 2008Although technically alone, there must have been a hundred people on the last section which he fell from. The response was incredible - several people made their way down over very tricky ground to try and assist the casualty. A man on the summit plateau phoned the Mountain Rescue within seconds of the fall and a voice relay helped to pass on messages from the man on his phone and the people with the casualty. The RAF turned up within an incredibly short time and with amazing skill lowered a paramedic who then lifted him up to take to hospital. A terrible sadness on a beautiful mountain on a glorious day. My heart and admiration goes out to the ordinary walkers who had the courage and altruism to suffer the trauma of going to try and help.
Guest
07 May 2008There were a lot of people climbing that day.. At the foot of the mountain we had noticed the yellow RAF helicopter and we did look at each other with concern.. As i was approaching striding edge our group was informed by a volunteer that a man had fallen less than thirty minutes ago.. Although it may be classed as a grade-one scramble, it must go on for over an hour, its very easy to make a small mistake in that period of time... i know i had a few small slips that day...
Peter
11 May 2008Yes what a sad day for me i was one of the people who went down to help sidney, it's still hard to sleep at night i saw him fall it was bad, he just lost his ballance. When i got to him i just held his hand there was not much we could do appart from talking to him it was very sad, we had been talking to him on the way up aswell that what makes it even worse for me what a lovley great man.
Guest
13 May 2008As one of Sydney`s nephews I would like to thank the people who helped and stayed with him after his fall. It can`t have been easy, but it is reassuring for family members to know that he was cared for and simply had someone with him. I am sure that I speak on behalf of all of Sydney`s family in thanking you not just for doing what you did,but for posting it on this website.
Tom
04 July 2008HI guys, This is a really unfortunate event and although I wasn't there I feel for the man and his family, my heart goes out to you. I climbed Helvellyn recently as part of a fundraiser for the Gurkha Welfare trust in full WW2 kit and it was incredibly difficult expecially with the weather we had. It was very dangerous in places and extremely wet and slippery. I remember thinking how easy it would be even for experienced climbers and hikers to make a small mistake and pay the ultimate price. I'd never climbed anything before so I feel very fortunate to have made it as it wasn't easy at all. Tom
Helena Ross
10 November 2010Thoughts and prays are with his family xx
Alan Fuller
20 July 2012Ted Bundy struggled with the scramble and he's a legend.
Ben
07 October 2012Reply to: Tom 04 July 2008
Though your charity work is admirable this is not the post to boost your ego on. respects to the family involved. ben