Llanberis Pass, Snowdonia. Photo: Stephen Elson
A mountain rescuer has died after a climbing accident in Snowdonia.
John David Evans fell from a path on Clogwyn y Grochan yesterday evening after he was coming down off the mountain. Mr Evans, a member of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation, was not on a rescue at the time.
A police spokesman said: “At 8.10pm yesterday evening, North Wales Police received a report of a male person having fallen from a pathway at Clogwyn y Grochan, Llanberis.
“He suffered severe head injuries and was airlifted to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor. Despite attempts they were unable to save his life.
“He was an experienced climber and was a part of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team. At the time of the incident he was returning off the mountain having completed a social climbing event with friends.
“North Wales Police are working closely with colleagues in the Mountain Rescue Team to establish the causes.”
Mr Evans lived in Capel Curig and leaves a partner, Lynne, who was with him when the accident happened, and a son David, 22, and daughter Rhiannon, 18. He had climbed the Nea route and was descending a gully when he fell. Fellow OVMRO members went to his aid and were joined by colleagues from the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team.
Mr Evans was an accomplished and experienced climber, having spent time in Alaska as a mountain guide, and was an instructor in technical rescue rope work.
He joined the Ogwen Valley rescue team in 1973.
A statement from the OVMRO said: “John was a true professional in his fields, a real stalwart and the man to have with you when the going got tough on the mountains.
“Tributes to John are being sent from around the world. He will be missed by all those who knew him. It is a great tragedy that the man who did so much to assist those in trouble in the mountains for 36 years should lose his life at such an early age and on the mountains he loved.”
Nigel Addy
29 April 2009It is many years since my last contact with John, Taff and co at Ogwen however I remember well his outstanding commitment to Mountaineering and Rescue both here and over the water. My thoughts go out to Lynne, his family and all who new him. As well as the moving tribute on the OVMRT site I am sure all would want to know of the many kind thoughts and comments from over the pond showing his strength of character wide ranging experience and impact on all who new him:
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=846932
Nigel - current WMRT member
Kat Rivett
30 April 2009I was very upset by ths news when I found out this morning. I spent 1 week last year as a student on the WEMSI course with John. He was a great teacher and lots of fun to be around, making me laugh many occasions.
He will be greatly missed my condolences and prayers are with his family and friends.
Kat - probationary member WMRT
Richard Warren
01 May 2009So sad and shocked to hear of the loss - my thoughts are with his family, friends and members of the OVMRT
Richard
Chairman Wasdale MRT
Rob Mac Geoghegan
01 May 2009John will be sorely missed in mountain rescue circles. John delivered two courses on Big Wall Rescue out here in South Africa. Condolences to his family and rescue friends. It's hard to loose a good friend but much harder when he has impacted the lives of many in such a good way. Rob.
Bruce Birchell
01 May 2009John had such a huge impact on so many over here in the states.
As a member of the elite pararescue team in the U.S. Air Force, he impacted many military rescuers who will be passing along his good work for a long time.
As a member of Denali Rescue and Alaska Mountaineering School, he had possibly even more impact.
John was a great guy and will be missed by so many.
My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Save a spot for me at the table John.
Lyndon Jones
01 May 2009As a young Member of the Search and Rescue Dog Association Wales, I was introduced to the concept of Search Management and later attended the Managing Search Operations Course held at Bangor University. John was an instructor on the coarse and was always a quiet but confident adviser during the workshops. I later went on to use what I had been taught on many occasions acting as Search Manager for SARDA Wales, once again benefiting from that quiet but confident advise. I have many pleasant and happy memories of John he will be sorely missed by many people. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his loved ones.
J Davis
01 May 2009I had the fortune of attending a WEMSI Wilderness EMT course in February of this year. During this coures I had the pleasure of meeting John Evans. It is with deep regret that I have learnt of his untimely passing.It is ironic that on this very day a colleague an I were relating to students the maner in which John had attended to a casualty for protracted period while engaged on a rescue on Denali.
I wish to extend our deepest sypmpathies.
John Davis
Donal Forrester GARDA SIOCHANA (Police)
Mon Tindale
29 July 2011Was thinking about John today whilst showing mountains to my boy. Ta John. And thanks.