Banker Falls to Death from Tryfan Peak After Losing Way
October 22, 2024
Sam Caley, a 49-year-old banker and program director at Deutsche Bank, tragically fell from Tryfan mountain in Snowdonia after he got separated from his friends during the descent, according to an inquest in Ruthin, Denbighshire.
Mr. Caley, from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, went hiking to the 918-meter peak with his friends on June 7. They planned to stay in North Wales for two nights and decided to climb Tryfan soon after arriving.
During the climb, one friend turned back because he was tired. Mr. Caley continued to the top with his friends Tony Clarke and Adriaan Commander. On the way down, he chose a different path, and they lost sight of him.
He called out, "I could use some help here, guys," and later said, "I don't know how I got here. I don't know if I can find my way back." Mr. Clarke described seeing his friend fall and tried to find him. "Adriaan and I were in shock," he said.
An off-duty paramedic and qualified mountain guide tried to help, and the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue team was called. Mr. Caley was pronounced dead at the scene due to head injuries.
Assistant coroner Kate Robertson recorded a verdict of accidental death. After the tragedy, more than £16,000 was raised in Mr. Caley's memory to fund a new boat for the Marlow Sailing Club.