Plunge climber ‘well equipped’

Jan 15 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A MOUNTAINEER who fell 750ft from a North peak was an experienced climber who had scaled the heights many times before, it emerged last night.

Police in Cumbria said David Burke died after falling from Striding Edge into Red Tarn on Helvellyn, in the Lake District, on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Burke was an active member of the Northumbria Walking Group which he helped to form several years ago and until last month was its chairman.

Last night friends said the 41-year-old, of North View, Clara Vale, near Ryton, Gateshead, was a leading figure to its members, who have been left devastated by his death.

Chairman Gilbert Roberts said he had scaled the mountain in snowy conditions with Mr Burke in the past.

He said: “The hills were his passion and he loved getting out in those weather conditions as many people do.

“You do it because it’s challenging, you always know there is some risk in what you do but you make sure you are well aware of all the forecasts. He was out walking with a friend, it wasn’t part of the programme or an official walk. It was quite normal and nothing extraordinary.

“Dave was very well equipped with an ice axe and crampons. We can only assume he lost his footing and fell.

“People are aware that when you go out on the hills a fall can happen and we were aware that someone had died a few days before. It was a tragic accident that can happen to the best of us, however well equipped and experienced we are.”

Dr Roberts, a lecturer at Newcastle University, said members met on Sunday to comfort each other and are planning a number of events to support the mountain rescue team which attended the scene within minutes of the fall.

“We are all in shock. He was very active to promote the group not only as a walking group but also as a social group and was very much a central figure.

“I will remember him as a towering figure leading a party of people across a region with his infectious enthusiasm and laughter. He was a very tall man but also in terms of his character, he was larger than life. He had many good friends, lots of close friends, and he will be an enormous miss.”

Bryn Roberts, who was with friends at Helvellyn, told The Journal he had seen Mr Burke fall and rushed to help.

He said: “Mountain rescue were already there and a doctor arrived on the scene and administered a painkiller and inserted an airway to administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to Mr Burke who was alive at the time. We used various items of clothing to try and keep Mr Burke warm.

“Numerous other mountain rescue personnel were on the scene quickly.”

Mr Burke, who had studied medicine at university, worked as an organisation development adviser with North Tyneside Council.

Andrew Kerr, chief executive of North Tyneside Council said: “Dave was both a friend and colleague. His enthusiasm, expertise and commitment in the area of training and development made such a difference to both individuals and the organisation as a whole.”