Tour guide died in cliff plunge trying to take puffin photograph

A tour guide plunged 50 metres to his death while trying to photograph a puffin.

Jamie Shannon, 23, was leading a group of 14 tourists at the Yesnaby cliffs, a popular beauty spot on Orkney last June, a fatal accident inquiry heard.

In a statement to the hearing at Kirkwall Sheriff Court, an Australian tourist said they had spotted a puffin on a rock stack.

“He [Mr Shannon] went out a bit further than the rest of us to take a photo. I heard a noise and turned to see what happened. Jamie was falling down the rocks feet first on his front. Jamie was hitting the rocks.”

She added: “A few folk tried to get down to him, but it was impossible.”

Another Australian tourist said: “He was in a happy mood, which was usual for him. He was certainly in good spirits.

“We walked for about 20 minutes and then had lunch. Jamie told us to be careful and stay away from the edge. He pointed out a puffin. I was taking a photo. Jamie put his bag down and walked along the cliff edge to my left.

“I saw Jamie lose his balance and fall forward.”

Her statement added that Mr Shannon landed on the rocks below and there was no sign of movement. His body was then swept out to sea by the waves.

Procurator fiscal depute Geoff Main said the accident took place at around 2pm on

0 Jamie Shannon was leading a group of 14 tourists when he died 26 June, 2017. Mr Shannon’s body was washed out to sea following the fall and he was recovered by a lifeboat crew member who managed to pull him aboard by his belt.

A paramedic who had been winched on to the lifeboat from the coastguard helicopter pronounced Mr Shannon dead at 3:38pm, Mr Main said.

However, he may have died immediately as a result of his injuries sustained during the fall, according to Mr Main.

Mr Main said Mr Shannon, from Dunblane, Perthshire was someone with a “passion” for the outdoors. “He was someone well thought of by all those who came into contact with him, ” he added.

Solicitor Mark Donaldson, representing Mr Shannon’s employers – Haggis Tours, based in Edinburgh – said: “He was a happy, valued and extremely popular member of staff, who is fondly remembered and greatly missed.”

Sheriff Berry will issue a written determination at a later date.