Fatal Accident Inquiry held into climber deaths on Glen Coe ridge

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) has taken place into the deaths of three climbers in Glen Coe.

Mountain guide David Fowler, 39, along with two people he was with – Graham Cox, 60, and Hazel Crombie, 64 – died in a fall on Aonach Eagach in August 2023.

The inquiry at Fort William Sheriff Court heard evidence from members of Scotland’s climbing community about conditions on the mountain ridge.

It was described as “exposed” and having sections that required scrambling, a technique that involves a person using their hands to help them keep their balance while walking across difficult terrain.

The FAI also heard how mountaineers did not regard their sport as “dangerous”, but acknowledged that it was not possible to “eliminate all risks”.

A slip or trip was often the likely cause of an accident, the court heard.

A sheriff was also told the UK has had a “very strong” framework of mountain skills qualifications since the 1960s.

The inquiry, which was held on Monday and Tuesday, has been continued for closing submissions at a later date.

Concerns were raised for the three climbers after they failed to return from a climb on 5 August 2023.

An initial search involving Inverness coastguard helicopter was made in mist and fog in difficult terrain, before the bodies were found the following day.

Glencoe and RAF mountain rescue teams assisted with the search and recovery operation.

The long ridge above Glen Coe is popular with climbers.

It features a series of summits, the highest being 967m (3,172ft) Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh.