Teenager plunges to his death taking selfie on mountain
A TEENAGER was killed in a freak accident while posing for a photo on a mountain ledge, an inquest heard.
Fynley Jones, 18, was walking with schoolfriends when they stopped to take selfies on the 1,400ft peak.
But tragedy struck when Fynley “lost his footing” as he posed – and he plunged down as his horrified friends watched.
An inquest heard emergency services rushed to the remote scene on Pen-Pych mountain in the Rhondda Valleys, South Wales.
Paramedics battled to save the teenager but he died from his injuries that day. A post-mortem examination revealed Fynley, who loved mountaineering, surfing and skateboarding, died of a “blunt head injury”.
The A-level student, of nearby Pentre, had been due to start studying Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at Aberystwyth University after securing a place.
Precarious
Assistant coroner Rachel Knight said: “Fynley had been together with a group of school friends, taking photographs at the top of the mountain.
“Fynley decided to pose for photographs on a ledge which was precarious, and sadly, he lost his footing and fell. The fall was down a considerable drop. Fynley sustained fatal injuries.”
The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death at the inquest in Pontypridd.
Treorchy Comprehensive School paid tribute to Fynley after his death.
A school spokesman said: “Fynley’s sudden death has shattered the Year 13 community, of which he was an integral part.
“As a school, we are devastated at the tragic loss of this talented and popular young man who had a future so full of promise ahead of him.
“Fynley’s generosity of spirit shone through and he will be remembered for his passionate public mindedness.
“He felt a clear duty to improve the community in which he lived and to support those less fortunate than he. He was a member of the Rhondda Youth Forum and part of a team who secured £2,000 of funding for community projects in Wales, including an initiative to support young people financially in attending university Open Days and the building of a Community Garden. Fynley lived life to the full.
“He had a real sense of adventure and enjoyed activities including mountaineering, parkour, surfing and skateboarding.
“He was a member of the school’s Combined Cadet Force and relished the opportunities this gave him to take part in the outdoor pursuits he loved.
“Fynley also participated in school drama productions, including School of Rock, the Young Playwright competition and travelled with the school to France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
“An enthusiastic and able student, Fynley was nearing the end of his A-Level courses in Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics and had secured a place to study Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at Aberystwyth University.
“His girlfriend and close group of friends have described him as bringing joy and fun to everything they did together.
“He will be greatly missed by us all.”