Walker's fatal fall 'not noticed'

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A group of walkers failed to notice one of their party was missing during a descent from the summit of Snowdon in snow and ice, an inquest has heard.

Donal McGrath, 61, of Butlerstown, County Waterford, Ireland, died after falling more than 600ft (183m).

The Caernarfon inquest heard members of his mountaineering club thought he was walking ahead and only raised the alarm when they reached their cars.

Coroner Dewi Pritchard-Jones recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mr McGrath, who had mountaineering experience on Everest, the Alps and in Argentina, died on 17 March this year.

The inquest heard that a group from the Comeragh mountaineering club, in Waterford, was walking on the Pyg track on Wales' highest mountain.

On the way down, in treacherous conditions, other members of the group believed Mr McGrath was walking ahead.

As long as people go walking in snow and ice on mountains they know the risk and that these things can happen Coroner Dewi Pritchard-Jones

The inquest heard he had apparently slipped more than 600ft and struck his head on a boulder, killing him instantly.

It was only when the group returned to their cars in the Llanberis Pass they realised that the 61-year-old was not with them.

Coroner Mr Pritchard-Jones said: "He was probably doing what he enjoyed and I would hate to criticise him for doing that.

"He was a very experienced person with the best equipment.

"As long as people go walking in snow and ice on mountains they know the risk and that these things can happen."

After the inquest, Mr McGrath's daughter, Roisin McGrath, 32, said she blamed no one for the accident but felt her father should have been missed sooner.