Inquiry to be held into deaths of three climbers in Glencoe tragedy

An inquiry is to be held into the deaths of three people in one of Scotland’s worst mountain climbing accidents in recent years.

Dave Fowler, 39, Graham Cox, 60, and Hazel Crombie, 64, died after falling from the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe in August 2023.

The three climbers had been reported missing on August 5 before their bodies were found by Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) volunteers.

Mr Fowler was a mountaineering expert based in Fort William, and worked with West Coast Mountain Guides to offer guided traverses across Scotland’s trickiest terrain. He was working when the accident unfolded.

In tributes on social media, he was described as a “mountain hero” and an “inspiration” to those in the hiking and climbing community.

Graham Cox had travelled from Southport in England to traverse Aonach Eagach.

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In a statement to the Liverpool Echo, his family said: “Graham Cox was a much-loved husband, father, son and brother. He is remembered by all as the kindest, loveliest man.

“The family is devastated by his loss.”

Hazel Crombie, a keen climber from Doune, was described as “much-loved”.

Her loved ones asked for donations to be made to Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team in her memory.

Glencoe MRT

The traverse along Aonach Eagach, Gaelic for “the Notched Ridge”, covers 10km and includes two Munros – Meall Dearg and Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh.

It shrinks to three metres at its narrowest and stands at an elevation of up to 968m at its highest.

A Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held into the deaths, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for February 10 at Fort William Sheriff Court.

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