William Bingley

The family of a fellwalker who died after falling into a Cumbrian gill said he inspired affection in everyone who knew him.

William Bingley, 61, of Caton near Lancaster, was walking on Sunday with his wife Helen and a friend when he slipped from a narrow path above Rawthey Gill near Baugh Fell.

He received serious head injuries in the 15-18m (50-60ft) fall near Uldale Force. He was airlifted to Royal Lancaster Infirmary by RAF Sea King helicopter but pronounced dead on arrival.

A family spokesperson said: “William inspired great respect and affection in all who knew him. His work at home and overseas has made a positive impact on the lives of many.

“[The] former chair of NHS North Lancashire and chief executive of the Abaseen Foundation died on 31 July as the result of a tragic accident while fellwalking.

“He was one of the country’s leading authorities on mental-health law and a life-long advocate of the National Health Service and human rights.

“After graduating from Cambridge in 1972, he studied law before becoming legal director of Mind, a position he held for seven years. He was seconded to the Department of Health and wrote the code of practice for the 1983 Mental Health Act.

“From 1990-2000 he was chief executive of the Mental Health Act Commission and was also a member of the expert committee appointed by the Government to undertake the initial review of the Mental Health Act, which reported in 1999. In 2000 he moved to north Lancashire to become professor of mental health law and ethics at the University of Central Lancashire.

“Together with his wife Helen, William Bingley led the development of the Abaseen Foundation, a UK charity developing healthcare and education in Khyber Pakhthunwa, north-west Pakistan. With Helen, he was also co-director of Bingley Consulting which advises public authorities on strategic change, and a trustee of Mind in Furness.”

As well as his wife, Mr Bingley leaves two daughters, Alexandra and Harriet, and step-daughter, Andrea.

Cumbria Constabulary said there were no suspicious circumstances and the case has been passed to the coroner.

Funeral details will be announced shortly.