A SOLICITOR died in a fall from a narrow ridge on Snowdon due to “bad luck,” a coroner said on Thursday.

Steven Johnston, 47, of Fremont Street, Hackney, London, died on Crib Goch last July.

Peter Robertson, of Llanberis mountain rescue team, told an inquest at Caernarfon the well-equipped lone walker may have tripped or slipped on a misty day.

“It’s a very narrow ridge and very unforgiving place. A simple trip can lead to tragedy,” Mr Robertson said.

Pathologist Dr Mark Lord said there was a very severe head injury and Mr Johnston would have died instantly.

A couple walking on top of the ridge had spotted the body more than 300ft beneath them.

Coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said :”The death of Mr Johnston unfortunately follows what is a very common pattern.

“I have been dealing with several deaths, almost identical, every year since I have been a coroner.

“He either slipped or tripped and in the location where I believe this incident happened that slip or trip will then develop into a slide and once that starts there’s really no way of arresting it.

“He struck his head which caused instant death.”

Mr Pritchard Jones said :”There’s no such thing as a safe mountain even when people follow established paths. There’s always a risk. If I think of the number of people who walk on Crib Goch it’s surprising the incidents are so few, but they do occur.”

A conclusion of accidental death was recorded.

The coroner added :”This is a case of simple bad luck.”