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Brothers' fall deaths 'accident' Brothers' fall deaths 'accident'
(about 14 hours later)
Two brothers who died after falling 660ft (201m) from Snowdon might have survived on the mountain if they had taken the right equipment, an inquest has heard. Two brothers who died after falling 660ft (200m) from Snowdon might have survived if they had taken the right equipment, an inquest has heard.
Experienced walkers Christopher McCallion, 29, and James, 35, failed to pack ice axes or crampons in "atrocious" conditions on 1 February.Experienced walkers Christopher McCallion, 29, and James, 35, failed to pack ice axes or crampons in "atrocious" conditions on 1 February.
The coroner Nicola Jones heard they probably slipped or were blown over by winds of up to 100mph (161km/h).The coroner Nicola Jones heard they probably slipped or were blown over by winds of up to 100mph (161km/h).
She recorded accidental death verdicts. The North West Wales deputy coroner recorded accidental death verdicts.
Ms Jones, North West Wales deputy coroner, said: "It is most likely the brothers were descending the mountain when the accident occurred. Ms Jones said: "It is most likely the brothers were descending the mountain when the accident occurred.
"I have heard that they did not have ice axes or crampons. This equipment could have saved their lives but we will never know.""I have heard that they did not have ice axes or crampons. This equipment could have saved their lives but we will never know."
Normally, I would have been with them but I had to work that weekend Tom McCallion, brotherNormally, I would have been with them but I had to work that weekend Tom McCallion, brother
The inquest in Caernarfon - held on the eve of the opening of Snowdon's new summit building - heard the brothers had scaled the mountain several times before their fatal accident.The inquest in Caernarfon - held on the eve of the opening of Snowdon's new summit building - heard the brothers had scaled the mountain several times before their fatal accident.
They are thought to have slid 330ft (101m) down an ice sheet before tumbling the same distance again from a cliff edge.They are thought to have slid 330ft (101m) down an ice sheet before tumbling the same distance again from a cliff edge.
Christopher, an operations manager from Severn Beach, Bristol, and James, a self-employed builder from Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, both suffered multiple injuries and died instantly.Christopher, an operations manager from Severn Beach, Bristol, and James, a self-employed builder from Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, both suffered multiple injuries and died instantly.
They left their homes on Saturday, 1 February, for a walking and camping weekend, but relatives reported them missing the following evening.They left their homes on Saturday, 1 February, for a walking and camping weekend, but relatives reported them missing the following evening.
The Llanberis and Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Teams (MRT), North Wales Police and RAF Squadron 22 mounted a major search operation on the Monday morning.The Llanberis and Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Teams (MRT), North Wales Police and RAF Squadron 22 mounted a major search operation on the Monday morning.
Elfyn Jones, chairman of the Llanberis MRT, told the inquest the weather was "atrocious".Elfyn Jones, chairman of the Llanberis MRT, told the inquest the weather was "atrocious".
He said visibility was so poor and wind speed was so high the RAF helicopter search was abandoned after about an hour and the search continued on the ground.He said visibility was so poor and wind speed was so high the RAF helicopter search was abandoned after about an hour and the search continued on the ground.
'Ferocious''Ferocious'
He added: "Weather conditions were extremely ferocious. Temperatures did not rise above minus five degrees centigrade and average wind speed was between 50 and 60mph.He added: "Weather conditions were extremely ferocious. Temperatures did not rise above minus five degrees centigrade and average wind speed was between 50 and 60mph.
"Some gusts were in excess of 100mph.""Some gusts were in excess of 100mph."
The brothers' bodies were found at the foot of Clogwyn Coch, a notorious danger point .The brothers' bodies were found at the foot of Clogwyn Coch, a notorious danger point .
He described their footwear as "walking boots, not mountaineering boots".He described their footwear as "walking boots, not mountaineering boots".
He said: "It is difficult to establish exactly what led to this tragedy.He said: "It is difficult to establish exactly what led to this tragedy.
"I have speculated that they were traversing the slope when they were carried over by a severe gust of wind or slipped and fell 100 metres down the slope."I have speculated that they were traversing the slope when they were carried over by a severe gust of wind or slipped and fell 100 metres down the slope.
"They would have been unable to arrest the slide and then tumbled 100 metres over the edge."They would have been unable to arrest the slide and then tumbled 100 metres over the edge.
"Had they had ice axes or crampons they may never have slipped, or they may have been able to arrest the fall.""Had they had ice axes or crampons they may never have slipped, or they may have been able to arrest the fall."
Pathologist Doctor Tony Caslia, of Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, said the cause of death for both brothers was a fractured skull.Pathologist Doctor Tony Caslia, of Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, said the cause of death for both brothers was a fractured skull.
'Devastating''Devastating'
After the hearing James and Christopher's brother, Tom McCallion, said their deaths had been "absolutely devastating" for the family.After the hearing James and Christopher's brother, Tom McCallion, said their deaths had been "absolutely devastating" for the family.
Mr McCallion, 29, a corporal in the Royal Engineers, paid tribute to the efforts of the mountain rescue team, adding: "James and Christopher were just keen walkers who went away for a camping weekend.Mr McCallion, 29, a corporal in the Royal Engineers, paid tribute to the efforts of the mountain rescue team, adding: "James and Christopher were just keen walkers who went away for a camping weekend.
"They had been up Snowdon many times before. Normally, I would have been with them but I had to work that weekend.""They had been up Snowdon many times before. Normally, I would have been with them but I had to work that weekend."
Mr McCallion said he and four army colleagues are planning to raise money for the MRT by embarking on the Three Peaks Challenge next month.Mr McCallion said he and four army colleagues are planning to raise money for the MRT by embarking on the Three Peaks Challenge next month.