‘Sheer bad luck’ led to death of Kildare mountain rescuer

An Irish mountain rescuer slipped and fell to his death on a narrow bridge in Wales “due to sheer bad luck,” a coroner said.

Kevin Hallahan (43) an IT worker from Naas, Co Kildare, died in September on the highest peak in England and Wales.

The incident occurred on Crib Goch, a narrow ridge which has been the scene of numerous tragedies.

Mr Hallahan was walking with a group from Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team.

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Coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said the group were a party of experienced climbers and walkers and appeared to have been well-equipped.

Mr Jones said Mr Hallahan may have slipped because rock was wet and greasy.

“A slip at that location is entirely unforgiving. There’s nothing to hold or to hang on to. A fall from that ridge is a fall of some considerable distance,” he said.

“This highlights that there’s no such thing as a safe mountain. There’s always a risk. Unfortunately, due to sheer bad luck, Kevin Hallahan slipped and fell. Walking on Snowdon does involve a risk. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are, that risk is there. I can’t find anything this group did that I would consider to be wrong,” he said.

A conclusion of death due to an accident was recorded.

Pathologist Dr Mark Lord said it would have been an instant death after a severe head injury.