Scout won’t have died if ‘primary’ directions given, inquest instructed

The lifetime of a teenage Scout who died after falling from a cliff might have been saved if he had been given ‘primary’ directions by expedition leaders, an inquest has heard.

Ben Leonard had been on an organised Scout expedition when he plunged 200ft to his loss of life from the Great Orme in North Wales in August 26, 2018.

The 16-year-old and two mates had separated from different Scouts and weren’t accompanied by any of the three Scout leaders on the journey when he slipped looking for an ‘simpler manner down’, an inquest at Manchester Civil Justice Centre beforehand heard.

Earlier this month, the Scout Association for the primary time accepted duty for the loss of life on the primary day of the inquest, 5 and a half years after he died.

Today one of many leaders of the Reddish Explorer Scouts stated he felt the danger of falling was ‘self-evident’ and admitted that these participating within the journey ought to have been given clear directions to keep away from the cliff edge.

Ben Leonard, from Stockport, was mountain climbing up the Great Orme in Llandudno, Wales, when he suffered a critical head damage after falling from the cliff edge

The 16-year-old, who was with two mates Christopher Gilbert and Alex Jamieson, was looking for an ‘simpler manner down’ when he slipped and fell

Gareth Williams was the primary of the three Scout leaders on the journey to offer proof on the inquest, now in its fourth week, into the loss of life of Ben, who hailed from Stockport in Greater Manchester.

Mr Williams, on the time aged 26 and an assistant Scout chief, instructed the listening to it was his first journey as a scout chief, he had by no means met Ben earlier than and he was requested to go as a result of ‘I used to be principally one other automotive to make use of as transport’, he stated.

On the day of Ben’s loss of life, he stated he final noticed the teenager who was with two different explorer scouts in an space often called Happy Valley on the way in which as much as the highest of the Orme with many of the scouts on a ‘meandering path’.

Sophie Cartwright KC, counsel to the inquest, requested him if any directions got or steerage or parameters set earlier than the stroll up the Orme.

‘Not that I can recall,’ Mr Williams stated, ‘I am unable to recall having any issues in any respect in regards to the terrain.’

While on the stroll, he acquired a name from one other scout chief, Mary Carr, who was forward of him asking the place Ben and his two mates had been, however they weren’t with him.

Mr Williams then known as Sean Glaister, essentially the most senior Scout chief on the journey. He known as one of many boys’ mobiles, however they didn’t choose up and he left a voicemail.

Mr Williams continued: ‘Sean obtained a cellphone name and he circled and stated, “Oh you’re joking!”. Then I bear in mind listening to sirens. I am unable to bear in mind if he stated, “Ben’s fallen” or “Ben’s had an accident”.

‘After that it simply obtained fairly panicked.’

The Scout Association has apologised and stated it ‘accepts duty’ for the loss of life of the teenage boy

The teenager died after falling 200ft from a cliff edge whereas on a Scouts journey, the inquest heard 

He added: ‘I’ve mirrored on this for 5 years. I couldn’t even conceive of the likelihood they’d not re-join the trail and attempt to be part of the group again up.’

Bernard Richmond KC, representing Ben’s household prompt Mr Williams had ‘misplaced’ the three boys on the stroll up the Orme.

He stated: ‘I do know it is exhausting however in case you are a supervising grownup, supervising others and you may’t see them, you’ve got misplaced them?’

Mr Williams stated from time to time scouts is not going to at all times be in sight on actions.

Mr Richmond continued: ‘There was an absolute failure to demarcate secure and unsafe areas.

‘It was essentially the most primary of necessities, that you simply establish for these younger folks the boundaries between secure areas to stroll and unsafe areas.’

Mr Williams replied: ‘Honestly, I, I felt that the hazard was self-evident.’

Mr Richmond stated: ‘But it plainly wasn’t was it?’

‘No,’ Mr Williams replied, ‘I didn’t even anticipate they’d go close to cliffs.’

Mr Richmond added: ‘Ben’s life would have been saved if any person stated to him, “This area has to be avoided, these routes are all safe.” That’s all it might’ve taken?’

‘I feel so, I am unable to know, however I feel so,’ Mr Williams stated.

Mr Richmond continued: ‘Can you consider a extra primary failure of care Mr Williams, wanting pushing somebody off the cliff your self? There is not, is there?’

‘I’m unsure,’ Mr Williams replied.

The inquest continues.