Climber killed in fall on Ben Nevis
Family grieve for Fraser
A Clackmannanshire man died after falling from the north face of Ben Nevis.
He has been named as 52-yearold Fraser Campbell from Alva.
His fiancee, Julie Stonehouse, and his family issued a statement this week, describing him as a wonderful Daddy who radiated enthusiasm.
The couple, who had a young daughter Isobel, moved to the Alva area in the summer after living in the North-East of England for many years.
Glasgow-born Fraser was climbing with another man when he fell last Friday.
The alarm was raised by his uninjured companion at 6pm but he was not airlifted from the scene until 2am on Saturday, following what rescuers described as a “difficult and technical” rescue. He died from his injuries.
Julie Stonehouse posted an announcement on Facebook last Saturday which said: “I am absolutely devastated to pass on the news that my lovely fiance and best mate Fraser Campbell has lost his life in a climbing accident. We are broken tonight.”
Tributes poured in through social media.
Nick Meek said: “The world is most definitely a poorer place without Fraser. His loss can not be measured in words. A man who loved his life and loved living it. Never a cross word and always, always there for anyone who needed anything.
“I know you know but he adored and loved his family more than most of us could ever wish to. May his wonderful memory inspire us all to be better people, and do him proud.”
In a statement released through police in Lochaber Julie said: “Fraser was born in Glasgow but lived most of his life on the north-east coast of England before moving back to Scotland with his family in June of this year.
“Fraser was my fiance, my best friend and a wonderful Daddy to our little girl. He was kind and had a bubbly personality.
“He radiated enthusiasm and positivity in everything he did but especially for his two great passions: his family and climbing.
“He was dearly loved and he will be sorely missed by all his family and friends.”
Mr Campbell grew up in Marske by the Sea and was a member of Cleveland Mountaineering Club. On its website the club said the thoughts of its members were with his family and friends.
John Stevenson, leader of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, said Mr Campbell had fallen “a huge distance”. His climbing companion was rescued uninjured from a ledge 150 metres below the summit of the 1345m mountain.
Mr Stevenson said: “He had fallen around 400 metres and sadly struck a lot of rock on the way.
“He was climbing with a friend. They were roped together and it is not clear at this stage what has happened but one possibility is that he lost his hold.
“The rope that was holding him then snagged on a sharp edge and was cut as a result. He then had a big fall which would have been almost impossible to survive.
“They were both experienced, had all the right gear and had climbed together before. It is just one of those things, sadly.”
Eighteen members of the Fort William-based team and 13 from an RAF team were involved in the operation on a route known as the Long Climb, the longest climbing route in the UK. The rescue was carried out in the dark and cloud on dangerous terrain and has been described as “one of the most difficult and technical” the team have ever been involved in.