Tributes to blizzard hero killed trying to lead hikers to safety

Graham Connell, 31, an ICT and theatre technician at Ralph Thoresby High School in Leeds, fell 150m in the Jacob’s Ladder area of the Cairngorms last week.

The experienced hillwalker had taken over leading a group of seven down to the safety of their base after winds reached 70mph and temperatures plummeted to minus 30C.

More than 100 rescuers and an RAF Lossiemouth helicopter were involved in a search, which was launched late on Sunday February 10 after the group was reported overdue.

An inquest – which was opened and adjourned at Wakefield Coroner’s Court yesterday – heard how during the descent, one member of the group fell 150m but eventually made it back to base.

Mr Connell, of Crowther Street, Castleford, fell shortly afterwards.

He was found dead at 12.30pm on Monday February 11 following an RAF search and rescue operation.

The inquest opening heard Mr Connell had arrived in the Cairngorms on February 8 as part of group of 35 people from the hiking club They had split up in to groups of seven to go exploring.

Mr Connell’s brother Ashley, 27, said: “Graham died leading them to safety. All the other hikers told us he was a hero.

“He had trained them to survive and because of that they have survived. He led them to within two miles of the base when he fell.”

Ashley Connell added: “He was taking charge and trying to keep them warm. If he could have chosen someone to die on that mountain, he’d have wanted it to be him – he would have been absolutely in pieces to lose someone else.

“He saw it as his team and it was his job to get everyone home safe. He did know the risks of what he did, it’s part of what he enjoyed. If he could have chosen how he was going to go, that would have been it.

“He wouldn’t have a bad word to say about anybody. He certainly lived his life as much as he could to the max.”

Mr Connell’s parents, Andrew, 57, and Elaine, 54, and his sister Verity Connell, 29, say they have been deluged with messages, cards and flowers of sympathy.

His mother Elaine, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support and kindness we have been shown from so many people.

“He was well loved and well regarded. The hiking society was like his second family, they’ve all been calling him the man of the hills.”

Mr Connell had taken up hiking as a teenager while studying at Castleford High School.

He had become a member of the Leeds University Union Hiking Club while studying for a diploma in physics at the university.

He had more than 17 years’ experience of hillwalking and spent most weekends walking in the Lake District, Wales and Scotland.

A statement on Leeds University Union Hiking Club’s website states: “The Hiking Club has been shocked and saddened by a tragic accident during our Cairngorms trip, which has cost the life of Graham Connell.

“Graham has been a member of the club for more than 10 years and has been a friend, mentor and inspiration to many generations of hikers.

“We miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues and pupils.

“We encourage you during this difficult time to support and talk to one another. There are also several avenues of support you can access through the Union and University to help. We have the Student Counselling Centre and Chaplaincy, that have trained members of staff to listen and offer advice and support.”