A YOUNG doctor plunged 30ft to her death in front of a horrified medical friend on a weekend mountaineering break, an inquest heard.
Dr Charlotte Crook, 30, and her colleague Adam Weatherhogg were walking on the notorious Glyder Fach part of Snowdonia when
tragedy struck.
Dr Charlotte Crook, 30, fell 30ft to her death at Snowdonia (Eryri)[/caption]
She then went over a steep ledge on the North Wales mountain path[/caption]
Dr Crook was a hospital clinician and St John Ambulance volunteer[/caption]
Hospital clinician and St John Ambulance volunteer Dr Crook was descending a section of path on her stomach when she appeared to lose her footing.
She then went over a steep ledge on the North Wales mountain path.
Dr Crook was thought to have fallen about 30ft down the side of the 3,000ft mountain.
She graduated with her medical degree from Birmingham University in 2022 and had worked for Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.
The opening of the inquest by John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, said that Dr Crook fell on February 16.
Mr Weatherhogg found a safer route down to his stricken friend in a desperate bid to save her life.
The Ruthin inquest heard he carried out CPR on her until members of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team arrived to take over.
But Dr Crook, of Birmingham, died at the scene.
Pathologist Dr Muhammad Aslam gave the cause of death as head injuries.
On Facebook, St John Ambulance Walsall posted: “St John Walsall were saddened to learn of the sudden death of Dr Charlotte Crook.
“Charlotte was a diligent and dedicated volunteer, who represented the values of the organisation in the best way possible.
“She was the District Youth Lead for the West Midlands District up until our recent restructuring so many of the cadets will have met her at various courses or events.
“She will be sadly missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this very sad time.”
Another online tribute said: “Dr Charlotte Crook (Charlie) was a promising young doctor.
Her colleague Adam Weatherhogg found a safer route down to his stricken friend[/caption]
Dr Crook was descending a section of path on her stomach when she appeared to lose her footing[/caption]
Dr Crook was thought to have fallen about 30ft[/caption]
“She was a very kind and an exceptionally bright person that dedicated her life to caring for others.
“She was an ideal colleague to work with during our busy shifts.
“She was incredibly hard-working and made sure her team was well looked after during stressful times.
“Charlie, you will truly be missed by the many who were blessed to know you.
“Your presence brought a smile to those around you and your selflessness and kindness made those who were lucky to come into contact with you love you and adore you.”
The inquest was adjourned to a later date.
Tragically, just days later a second woman, 28-year-old Maria Eftimova, slipped and died on the Welsh mountain.
Her devastated loved ones posted on a GoFundMe page said: “Maria was an ambitious, bright and cherished 28-year-old, whose vibrant personality, energy and aura touched and uplifted all around her.
“She had an insatiable thirst for life and exploring our world’s beauty. Tragically, she was taken from her family far far far too soon!
“Words cannot express the devastation her family and our community are experiencing.”
Maria, a civil engineering graduate at the University of Salford, was described as having a “love for extreme sports” and had been looking forward to an upcoming snowboarding trip to Austria.
A GoFundMe page has so far raised over £15,000 to help repatriate Maria’s body back to her family who live in Bulgaria.
Maria Eftimova was killed after falling 65ft at Snowdonia[/caption]
This photo was taken by a friend who was with Maria when she died[/caption]
