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.
The posting read: "Rick was a son, brother, husband, and father, and will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and comrades. His passing has devastated us all and left a gaping hole in our lives that will be impossible to fill.
"We know that this news is going to be extremely hard for a lot of people to hear, so please look after each other so that you will be able to help us honour Rick's life appropriately, in due course. Thank you all for your support at this difficult time."
The post was signed off with the Royal Marines motto, Per Mare Per Terram: 'By Sea, By Land'. Friends of CSgt Melia have since launched a GoFundMe fundraising page to cover the unexpected costs of his funeral, and to start a trust fund for his children in his memory.
Comrade Naheed Tariq, who set up the benefit page, wrote: "Reggie sadly passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind 2-year-old Lottie and his wife Sarah who is 26 weeks pregnant. We are his friends, who served with him in the military and would like to help raise money in his memory to help his beautiful young family to cover funeral costs and start a trust fund for his children.
"Reggie was a hero who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He had a great sense of humour and a kind heart. We would love to help Sarah and Lottie at this sad and tragic time, and would appreciate any donation no matter how small."
The page, created a week ago, has almost hit its goal of £10,000. Those who worked to help CSgt Melia on the mountain have also expressed their condolences.
Brian Bathurst, deputy team leader of the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team, said earlier this month: "We would like to express our condolences to the man's family and friends. It was a tragic outcome sadly. He appears to have slipped on slabby rock."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said:"Police received a report that a man had fallen on Stob Dearg, Buachaille Etive Mor, around 11.15am on Saturday, April 8. Emergency services attended and a 40-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
"There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
