Andrew Hansler fell and died climbing in Ambleside - inquest

Andrew Hansler, 54, known as 'Andy', was leading a group of four climbers from Ipswich Mountaineering Club ascending Raven Crag, near Ambleside on January 21, 2022.

The inquest heard his companions suddenly witnessed the civil servant "rolling like a log" for three or four seconds before falling over a ridge, coming to a stop close to the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, around 300 metres away from where he fell.

Norman Smith, who was part of the group, said he had known and climbed with Mr Hansler for around 20 years as a member of the club and described him as "always a responsible person, experienced on many types of terrain, with or without ropes."

His fellow climber Andrew Kerrison, who was directly behind Mr Hansler, from Bury St Edmunds, said in a statement to the court that the incident occurred at around 10.55 am.

LOCATION: Raven Crag, near Ambleside

The coroner's court at Cockermouth heard the scene was attended by Great North Air Ambulance and Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team, but Mr Hansler was pronounced dead at 11.38 am.

Mr Kerrison said that they were all in good spirits with no health complaints and around 800 feet up the mountain on mixed solid and loose terrain with no real path when the group was making its way to their next scramble.

Mr Hansler was using his hands to steady his progress and called: "Watch out for this rock, it's loose."

READ MORE: Tragedy strikes as climber falls on picturesque walking spot

Mr Kerrison's statement then said: "I noticed the rock Andy had pointed out and looked down.

"Suddenly I looked up and noticed he'd fallen.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing, we all just stood there in shock.

"He was gaining speed and momentum and made no attempt to stop. I can only assume he lost his footing and was almost immediately unconscious."

Mr Hansler's long-time partner Caroline Merriman said he was the youngest of five siblings and got on well with all of his family and friends but struggled around to come to terms with his mother and brother dying very close to each other around eight years ago.

TRIBUTES: Andy loved nature and the outdoors

He loved Star Wars, history, animals, cycling doing ironman competitions all over the world, was a keen artist, and loved making model tanks.

She recalls that before the fateful trip to Cumbria on Monday, January 17, he was at the gym and started feeling dizzy, and unsafe to drive. 

She said: "On Thursday, January 20, at 6.50 pm, Andy texted: 'Almost didn't come on the trip as I was feeling very nervous. Feel better now'.

"This was odd to me as I didn't understand why he was feeling nervous about something he wanted to do, especially as he had done it so many times before. 

"I have seen some pictures which were taken just before Andy fell and I think he looked really tired and not like himself. 

"The guys he was with said he seemed in good spirits but he might have just not wanted to let them down by telling them something was wrong. 

"He loved me and we had so many adventures to do together. He was not ready to go."

PICK: Andy on one his climbs

Dr Sissons, who carried out the postmortem, offered a cause of death of traumatic brain injury.

In her conclusion, area coroner for Cumbria Kirsty Gomersall, said: "In my judgement the most appropriate conclusion for me to reach would be one of accidental death.

"These events all have the elements of a tragic and unexpected accident."

To pay tribute to Andy, visit this page.