A 40-year-old man who died after falling over 160ft while climbing a mountain in the Scottish Highlands has been named as Colour Sergeant Richard Melia. The Royal Marine, also known as Rick and Reggie, died on April 8 as he ascended Stob Dear's Crowberry Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor, near Glencoe.
Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team sent 13 members to the incident as part of an eight-hour rescue effort. Tragically, CSgt Melia could not be saved and his body was carried valiantly down the mountain by some of the rescue team, while others climbed up to help his companion, who was stuck on a ledge around 2000ft up the 3351ft peak.
Tributes have been paid to the dad-of-one, who had another baby on the way, by his fellow soldiers. In a post on its official Facebook page made on behalf of his family, the Royal Marines Association said CSgt Melia had left his friends, family and comrades with "broken hearts". Funeral details will be provided in due course.
