Tragic cliff-plunge teenager ‘had no training in climbing’
A TEENAGER who fell to his death from a Welsh mountain while on a Scouts trip had ‘no walking experience and was not trained in climbing activities,’ a coroner has said.
An inquest into the death of Ben Leonard, from Reddish in Stockport, was opened yesterday in Ruthin, north Wales.
The hearing was told the 17-year-old was in Llandudno with a group of Scouts and was out walking on the Great Orme headland when tragedy struck on August 26. Ben, who would have turned 18 in November, is believed to have fallen around 200ft.
Medics fought to save him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
John Gittins, coroner for North Wales east and central, told the Ruthin County Hall hearing the student had ‘no walking experience and was not trained in climbing activities.’
He said Ben fell from a ‘considerable height’ of around 200ft.
Mr Gittins noted a provisional cause of death of a head injury and adjourned the full inquest until a later date.
Ben, who was a talented actor, was a long-standing member of NK Theatre Arts, based at the Forum Theatre at Stockport.
Remembering the teenager, the organisation posted on Facebook: “Everyone at NK Theatre Arts are completely shocked and saddened at the news of the death of our long-term member Ben Leonard.
“He was an extremely talented and popular member of the company and he will be greatly missed by members, tutors and staff.
“Our thoughts and love are with brother Tom and parents Jackie and Dave at this difficult time.”