Misadventure verdict on death of Huddersfield rock climber Lawrence Walker

Aug 20 2009 by Katie Grant, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HE died doing what he loved best.

Yesterday a coroner recorded a verdict of misadventure into the death of Shelley rock climber Lawrence Walker.

The inquest at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court heard how a rock ‘as big as a grown man’ struck the 21-year-old as he scaled Ailefroide mountain in the Hautes–Alpes in France.

Lawrence, of Far Bank, and his friend Alex Green were negotiating a rocky ridge on July 12 as part of their summer climbing holiday.

The inquest heard how Alex was high above Lawrence when he grabbed hold of a huge rock.

But suddenly the stone came away in Alex’s hands, sending him tumbling down the cliff.

As the rock cascaded down the mountain it tragically hit Lawrence.

Both the young men fell into a ravine below.

Frenchman Jean Phillippe Josserand was at the bottom of the cliff with his climbing partner.

The rock missed Mr Josserand but injured his friend.

A statement from Mr Josserand said: “It all happened so quickly. Since the accident happened we called the rescue services almost every day.