My father fell to his death after texting his wife to tell her he had climbed the first mountain

David Brookfield, 65, died in a tragic accident

A recently retired housing fund manager died after falling from the Snowdonia peak. An inquest found that David Brookfield’s body tragically remained undiscovered for months.

North West Wales senior coroner Kate Robertson described the death of experienced walker David, from Skelmersdale, at Penyr Ole Wen, Carneddau, as a ‘tragic accident’. The 65-year-old was walking in January when conditions were likely slippery, the coroner said.

Despite extensive searches involving mountain rescuers, a coastguard helicopter, drones and dogs, Brookfield was not found until May 9 when a coastguard helicopter crew spotted his blue jacket in the Nant Ffrancon Valley, North Wales Live reports. Police Sergeant and Ogwen Valley mountain rescuer Paul Terry suggested Mr Brookfield had strayed from the usual descent route and entered a gully before falling.

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On January 9, Mr Brookfield had sent his last WhatsApp message to his wife Lesley, telling her he had climbed his first Snowdonia mountain. The alarm was raised the next day when there was no further contact.

Ms Brookfield expressed her family’s devastation in a statement read out at the inquest. She said: “As a family we are completely devastated by what has happened.” The coroner extended her condolences to the family, acknowledging their long-term grief and saying: “He clearly had many years ahead of him.”

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