Helicopter flies over grave as a tribute to rescuer

A COASTGUARD searchand-rescue helicopter has flown in tribute over the grave of a mountain rescuer as he was buried on Skye.

Stuart Ashton, 53, was the treasurer of Skye Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) who died on February 24 on the hills he loved.

He had also taken part in countless rescues on the treacherous terrain.

Mr Ashton died after being airlifted from Ciste Dhubh in Kintail following a heart attack during a walking trip with friends.

Members of Skye MRT mounted a guard of honour outside Fernilea Church for his funeral yesterday.

As Mr Ashton was buried at Trien Cemetery, the helicopter from Stornoway Coastguard roared overhead.

His friend and fellow rescue team member Jonah Jones, who was the first on the scene with his specialist search dog Mack after Mr Ashton took ill, read a eulogy at the ceremony which was attended by about 100 people.

The Reverend Janet EastonBerry, also read one on behalf of Mr Ashton’s widow, Tania. The couple ran a B&B at Crossal on Skye.

Kintail Mountain Rescue Team had been frustrated by bad weather during the rescue operation.

Mr Jones and his dog Mack, are both members of the Search and Rescue Dog Association Scotland (SARDA), which Mr Ashton keenly supported. In a statement following his death, the mountain rescue team described Mr Ashton as one of its most “valuable and respected team members” who had died in “pursuit of something he was most passionate about.

A report on his death is thought to be with the procurator fiscal.