Devastated son shares his heartbreak after dad, 65, falls to death in horror accident while walking in Peak District
THE son of a man who fell to his death in a horror accident at Peak District has shared his heartbreak.
Emergency services raced to a footpath above Speedwell Cavern on Saturday after reports a walker had fallen – and was laying unconscious with a head injury.
That walker was dad-of-two James Alexander Ryan, and he was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
The horror unfolded around 7pm, with mountain rescue workers finding James’ injuries were “incompatible with life”.
The 65-year-old’s son Jonathan has now opened up about his heartbreak.
James had been walking with pals when he horrifically fell to his death, Jonathan said.
The 28-year-old told the Manchester Evening News: “We are all so shocked, it hasn’t really sunk in for any of us yet.
“You don’t expect your dad to go away and then not come home.”
Jonathan explained his dad had travelled from his home in Colchester, Essex, before walking around the beauty spot with his pals for about an hour.
He said: “It was on the way down that he fell.
“When the police came to see us at midnight to tell us what had happened, we were in total shock.”
Jonathan said his dad was an Arsenal fan, who loved cars and vintage audio.
He said he and sister Danielle, 35, were struggling to come to terms with their father’s death – but were feeling for their mum Denise.
Jonathan said: “For my mum, my dad is her only partner ever.
“They have been together for 42 years and she doesn’t know what it is like to be without him.”
Earlier today Edale Mountain Rescue shared the shocking news.
It wrote: “The team was contacted by East Midlands Ambulance Service to reports of a walker who had fallen and was unconscious with a head injury on a footpath above Speedwell Cavern.
“A group of friends visiting the area for the weekend were making their way off the hill when one slipped and tumbled a distance, sustaining a serious head injury during the fall.
“A couple of local team members arrived on scene at the same time as an ambulance crew and team paramedic.
“Despite the best efforts of their friends, team members and the ambulance crew, the injuries received were incompatible with life and the walker was unfortunately pronounced deceased at scene.
“After the attendance of the police the deceased was evacuated from the hillside. Our condolences to the family and friends of those involved.”