Sons witness dad plunging 130ft to his death on hike to Ben Nevis as tributes paid to ‘wonderful’ dentist
TWO sons have told how they witnessed their dad plunging to his death after a horror slip during a hike to Ben Nevis.
Dr Nathan Turner fell 130ft while walking on the Carn Mor Dearg Arete heading to Ben Nevis on Sunday.
The 66-year-old dentist, from Worcestershire, was with his sons and their pal when he “slipped off the edge” of the steep mountain right in front of them.
They desperately tried to get to him after the horror accident.
A ten-person Mountain Rescue crew and Coastguard helicopter were scrambled to the scene, but the dad could not be saved.
One of his sons has now told of the horror moment his dad slipped and fell.
He told The Times: “It’s more of a scramble than a hike. We got to the top, walking along the arête, and he slipped and fell.
“I went down to see where he’d fallen, so did my friend who was hiking with us. My brother was at the top of the ridge.”
And he heaped praise on the rescue teams who raced to them after the accident.
He continued: “They were fantastic, mountain rescue, hats off to them, they’re heroes.
“They got the helicopter in, right by this narrow gap where my dad had fallen. They ziplined down, pulled my dad up, then pulled me up and my friend up.”
Dr Turner’s surgery, Clent Dental Care in Hagley, paid tribute to him after the mountain tragedy.
They shared a picture of him on social media and said he was “loved by everyone.”
Staff posted to Facebook: “It is with a heavy heart that we are informing you of the recent passing of Dr. Nathan Turner. He was loved very much by his patients and thoroughly enjoyed his work.
“Clent Dental Care will be closed tomorrow as a mark of respect and we hope to resume on Wednesday.
“Please bear with us as we contact each patient individually who has pending treatment plans with Dr. Turner.”
Dozens more paid tribute to Dr Turner as they learned of the devastating news.
One said: “RIP Nathan, the man who made me feel confident and comfortable going back to a dentist. What a lovely man.”
A second wrote: “I can’t believe it! So unfair, you were so looking forward to your retirement & the travels you were going to do!
“My thoughts are with your family! I will never forget how you helped me smile again & all the advice you gave me! RIP.”
And a third said: “What an absolute tragedy for the world to lose such a great guy so early in life. Our heartfelt condolences go to the family. God bless you mate.”
Iain Murray, of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, said: “He fell a considerable distance in a very steep place.
“I believe he had two of his sons with him and so this is a particularly tragic event for them.”
A report on Dr Turner’s death is due to be made to the Procurator Fiscal.
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