Bowfell. Photo: Paul Albertella

A walker whose body was found on Bowfell died accidentally, a coroner decided.

Jeremy Lloyd Ayrton, of Windermere, fell from the Climbers’ Traverse on the 902m (2,959ft) Great Langdale mountain last February. The 60-year-old was the victim of a ‘simple accident’, coroner Ian Smith said.

The inquest at Kendal into Mr Ayrton’s death heard that the walker was on a steep slope, covered in mixed ice and snow. Rescuers from the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team who found the body the day after Mr Ayrton was reported missing said weather was excellent, with blue sky.

The experienced walker was also well equipped.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner said no criticism should be made of Mr Ayrton. He also praised the rescue teams who go out to aid those on the Lakeland mountains. Without them, said Mr Smith, whose area covers south and east Cumbria, there would be more casualties on the fells.

Teams from Keswick, Wasdale, Duddon and Furness and Bowland Pennine also took part in the search, as did members of the Search and Rescue Dogs Association.

In the same week, another walker had fallen on the Climbers’ Traverse, suffering serious injuries, and Brian Roberts, 60, of Saddleworth, Oldham, died in a fall from Pavey Ark in Great Langdale.