HIKERS DIED AFTER LOSING WAY WHEN GPS FAILED
As second rescued man succumbs after hill ordeal, family tells how friends became stranded in storm
TWO hillwalkers died and a third was left fighting for his life after their GPS equipment failed as they desperately tried to find safety.
Lifelong friends George Crosbie, 73, Bobby Thomson, 64, and Geoffrey Stewart, 74, spent a night in the open after getting lost trekking in Dumfriesshire.
The trio, all from Dumfries, had tried to find shelter when freezing temperatures, 50mph winds and heavy rain swept over the Durisdeer area where they were walking on Tuesday.
They were found around noon on Wednesday after a massive rescue operation on the Southern Uplands and were airlifted to hospital suffering from hypothermia.
Mr Crosbie died in hospital not long after being rescued, while Mr Stewart died later on Wednesday night.
Police said that Mr Thomson was still recovering in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, in Dumfries.
The men were regular walking partners and Mr Crosbie and father-of-three Mr Stewart lived only minutes from each other.
Last night, Mr Stewart’s son Alistair revealed the group’s equipment had broken down, leaving them stranded.
‘The three of them have been best friends for longer than we can remember and have walked all over Scotland together,’ he said. ‘They left to go out together, as they have done many times before but, sadly, two haven’t came back.
‘We haven’t spoken to the third yet, but we just want to let Bobby know that this isn’t his fault, it’s just been a tragic accident.
‘Their GPS system failed and that is what has led to this happening. They were all very experienced, but because they didn’t have the GPS then that led them into difficulty.’
Mr Stewart paid tribute to his father as family members gathered to comfort each other.
He added: ‘The whole family is in complete shock over this, we can’t believe what has happened. We have a big family and we are all coming together to support each other.
‘As you can imagine, we are all very upset by this. All the families will come together to support each other through this tragic time. He will be well missed by everyone who knew him.’
In a statement, the Stewart family thanked all those involved in the search.
It read: ‘Our family would like to extend our love and thoughts to the families involved at this very sad and tragic time. Sincere gratitude and appreciation goes out to all the services involved in the rescue efforts and hospital staff at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.’
Last night, Mr Crosbie’s daughter Maggie paid tribute to her father on Facebook.
She said: ‘Everyone, finally slept a bit last night, woke up and it has all come back to me. We are devastated and I can’t stop thinking about him lying there all night and freezing, I hope he wasn’t aware at the end.’
However, after one Facebook user queried the men’s decision to go walking in bad weather, she wrote: ‘If only my father was as smart as you.
‘He would have known that the weather conditions would change so dramatically and stayed at home instead of perishing, lost and frozen to death.
‘He was in fact a very smart
‘Walked all over Scotland together’
‘Deteriorated rapidly overnight’
man, a gentleman, and an experienced walker.’ The man later apologised for the comments.
Friends posted messages of support to Miss Crosbie and her family. Tracy Loughlin said: ‘So sorry to hear your sad news Maggie x. Thinking of you all.’ Paul McKean wrote: ‘So sorry to hear this, Mags. Thinking of you and your family.’ Zoe Walker added: ‘Sorry to hear such sad new, take care.’
Mr Thomson’s family were too upset to speak yesterday.
The men – regular visitors to the Lowther Hills area of the Southern Uplands – had set out for the day on Tuesday morning. By nightfall the alarm had been raised by concerned relatives when they failed to return.
Sixteen members of Moffat Mountain Rescue Team were sent out with two rescue dogs, but were forced to stand down amid heavy rain, sleet, gales and poor visibility in the early hours of Wednesday. The search resumed at 8.30am on Wednesday when more than 50 people combed the hillside.
The men were found on Wednesday afternoon and airlifted to hospital by coastguard helicopter.
Rescue team Leader Colin Golphin said: ‘The weather, although OK during the day, deteriorated rapidly overnight. The team searched the hills during the night in extremely poor conditions.
‘The team are grateful for the help of our neighbouring teams, SARDA [Search and Rescue Dog Association], RAF Leeming MRT and the coastguard helicopter R999. Our condolences are with the family of the walkers who died.’ By lunchtime yesterday the news that a second life had been l ost was beginning to spread through Dumfries.
Mr Stewart was well known in the area and a former president of the Albert Club, a gentleman’s club in Dumfries.
David Gauld, also a former president of the club, said: ‘He was very fit, very active. He was also a very keen golfer. He wasn’t one for just sitting at home. I heard him talking about hillwalking and how much he liked it.
‘I have known him since I moved here, so for 20 years. He was very popular. He was well liked and well known. There will a lot of people who will miss him. He was a very nice guy and a gentleman.’
He added: ‘He wouldn’t have done anything silly. He would have had the proper boots and clothing. It is very, very unfortunate. You just can’t see these things happening.’