One of Britain's leading climbers, Jonathon Woods, 36, died after being struck by a rock dislodged by another climber at Bosherston Head in the Pembrokeshire National Park. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon as Woods was climbing a 150ft sheer cliff.
The rock, which fell approximately 60ft, hit Woods in the chest, causing him to lose his foothold. His safety rope prevented him from falling into the sea. Other climbers hauled him to the top of the cliff, and he was airlifted to Withybush Hospital by an RAF rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor, but died from the impact.
Dave Miller, coastguard manager, stated: 'The rock knocked him from his position causing him to fall further down the cliff until arrested by his rope which saved him from falling into the sea. Other climbers in the immediate area went to his assistance and decided to haul him up the cliff as they were concerned he was having breathing difficulties.'
Woods, known by his nickname Woody, was from Bristol and grew up in Cheddar, Somerset, where he first learned to climb. His late father Michael Woods was a well-known naturalist and chairman of the British Mammal Society. A spokesman for UK Climbing said: 'Woody was a well known and universally loved character on the climbing scene. He was very experienced and his death has devastated the climbing community.'
Dyfed-Powys Police are investigating the tragedy, and an inquest will be opened later this week. Woods' girlfriend, who was leading the climbing team, was perched higher up the cliff when the rock was dislodged.
