TRIBUTES have poured in for a dad-of-three who plunged to his death from a notorious mountain ridge “doing what he loved”.
Tom Smith, 36, tragically fell while climbing Crib Goch on his way to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).
WNSTom Smith, 36, tragically fell while climbing Crib Goch[/caption]
WNSTom, a plasterer from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was airlifted from the dangerous path[/caption]
JUSTGIVING.COMHis family set up a JustGiving for well-wishers to donate to Llanberis Mountain rescue[/caption]
AlamyOf the many paths to the top, Crib Goch is the most perilous and involves significant scrambling. Stock image[/caption]
He died after suffering “multiple injuries due to a fall from a height” at 11.30am on Saturday, August 16.
His family set up this JustGiving for well-wishers to donate to Llanberis Mountain rescue, who rushed to the scene in a desperate effort to save the dad.
Tom, a plasterer from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was airlifted from the dangerous path but tragically died before he could be treated.
His partner Shelly Price said he “passed away in the most beautiful of places doing what he loved”.
She wrote in a touching post on Facebook: “As many of you already know, Tom, the most incredible and loving partner, and father to our three beautiful children, devastatingly lost his life over the weekend.
“Tom lived life to the full and was always looking for the next great adventure or goal to work towards, and he passed away in the most beautiful of places doing what he loved.
“In his memory, we as a family would love to raise as much money as we possibly can for Llanberis Mountain Rescue to ensure that this team of wonderful volunteers can continue to carry on their vital work. Please donate as much as you possibly can.”
A service will take place next week, where the procession will drive along one of his favourite running routes before arriving at the church.
In a JustGiving page, Shelly said: “On the 16th August, my partner and our children’s father Tom was walking in one of his most loved places, Snowdonia National Park, when he unfortunately lost his life.
“Among many other brave individuals who were there to help Tom, the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team were instrumental in making sure that he was cared for and rescued off the Mountain so that he could be brought home to his family.”
An inquest in Caernarfon on Wednesday heard Tom travelled to Wales on the morning he died.
Coroner Sarah Riley said he was located by search and rescue teams, “but a medic on the rescue helicopter confirmed he had passed away at the scene”.
A post-mortem examination found he had died from multiple injuries.
The inquest was adjourned while further investigations take place.
Yr Wyddfa has over 750,000 visitors a year, skyrocketing in popularity especially in recent years.
Although it is the most popular mountain in the UK – with hikers famously needing to queue to touch the summit – it tends to see an average of eight deaths a year.
Of the many paths to the top, Crib Goch is the most perilous and involves significant scrambling – a technical rock climbing activity which requires hands and feet.
Those attempting it need a good head for heights, steady balance and good weather conditions.
There tends to be between one and three deaths on the route annually.
Seven walkers have tragically lost their lives in the mountain range this year.
On June 11, two sisters drowned near the Watkin Path in Snowdon.
Mother-of-two Hajra Zahid, 29, and her younger sister Haleema Zahid, 25, died in a waterfall.
The pair were pulled from the water after a “challenging” rescue attempt.
The pair were studying in Chester and had travelled 70 miles to the mountain range to visit the waterfall pools with university friends.
On February 22, social media influencer Maria Eftimova, 28, travelled from Greater Manchester to climb Tryfan but fell 65ft when she lost her grip.
And Dr Charlotte Crook, 30, from Birmingham, slipped to her death on Glyder Fach on February 16.
Medical student John Aravinth, 20 of Horsham, West Sussex, also fell on Snowdon after getting lost on May 26.
GettySeven walkers have tragically lost their lives in the mountain range in 2025[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
