EMS1.com News

February 21, 2012

Climber survives 1,000 foot drop on UK mountain

One other man died in the accident on Ben Nevis

Catriona Macphee
Aberdeen Press and Journal

PERTH, Scotland — A 46-year-old climber who survived a 1,000ft fall on Ben Nevis which killed his climbing partner has been named as David Warden.

Mr Warden, from Perth, was ice climbing on Zero Gully on the north face of the 4,406ft mountain when the two men fell just before 11am on Sunday.

He suffered serious injuries, but a police spokesman confirmed he is no longer in a life-threatening condition.

The spokesman added that the other climber is not yet being named because the process of informing next of kin is still under way.

Mr Warden was initially taken to Belford Hospital at Fort William, but was yesterday transferred to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

The two men were roped together while tackling the grade five route near the summit and it is understood that one fell off, pulling the other climber down. The men were found still roped together by a separate group of climbers and Mr Warden's climbing partner was assumed to be dead by the group, who called the mountain rescue team.

The other climbers, who were alerted to the incident after hearing cries, were able to assist Mr Warden and make him comfortable until emergency services arrived.

The Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team were launched and two members were airlifted to the scene by a rescue helicopter.

The death is the first mountain fatality in Lochaber this season.

The UK's highest mountain attracts more than 125,000 people every year.

Mountain rescue team leader John Stevenson described the fall as being "very nasty".

He added that the two men were well equipped and had already completed the majority of their ascent when the fall happened.

A spokesman for Northern Constabulary said: "The surviving casualty has been named as David Warden, aged 46, from Perth. He is described as being in a serious but stable condition.

"No additional details in relation to the deceased male climber are to be released until the next of kin can be notified."

A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said Mr Warden was "stable" but said no further information was being released on the nature of his injuries.