Huddersfield climber dies in mountain tragedy

Jul 15 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A CLIMBER from Huddersfield has died in a mountaineering accident in the French Alps.

Lawrence Walker, 21, was killed by a falling boulder on the north face of Ailefroide in the Hautes-Alpes, southeastern France, at nearly 13,000 feet.

Mr Walker, who was a member of Kirkburton Scouts from the age of eight and became a cub leader, was a student at Cumbria University’s Ambleside campus, where he was taking a degree in outdoor studies.

It is understood he was due to graduate this summer.

Ewan Scott, joint district commissioner for Huddersfield South East District Scouts, said the accident had happened on a climbing holiday that was not connected to the Scouts.

He added: “Lawrence was a competent climber and it’s very upsetting to everyone who knew him.

“He was very much part of the scouting team and it has hit us all quite hard.

“I didn’t know Lawrence particularly well, but he was a really decent guy. It’s extremely sad.”

Tributes to Mr Walker have been posted on Scouting websites.

The accident happened when another 21-year-old British man, who was climbing with Mr Walker, accidentally dislodged a huge section of rock during the ascent on Sunday.

The boulder struck Mr Walker and sent both men falling more than 30 yards down the glacial mountain face into rocks, ice and snow.

Despite the fall, the second Briton’s injuries were not life threatening, according to mountain police.