War hero fell to his death at 11am on Remembrance Day while trying to retrieve drone during charity hike, inquest told
A FORMER soldier fell to his death at on Remembrance Day while trying to retrieve a drone during a charity hike, an inquest heard.
William Onion, 33, slipped on a narrow ridge on Mount Snowdon, North Wales, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month last year.
An inquest heard the trained mountaineer was taking part in a charity hike with pals when the horror unfolded.
William, who served in Afghanistan, was trying to retrieve his drone when he slipped and fell “some distance” on the perilous terrain.
One of the walkers, Sarah Edwards, told the court she saw the former soldier “on his back” sliding down the 3,560ft before vanishing out of sight.
Another member of the group, Daniel Hellier, said William appeared to “step over something like a gap or a rock” and slip.
Emergency services, including police, an air ambulance team and mountain rescue volunteers found William on the Crib Goch trail.
Tragically he couldn’t be saved and was declared dead after suffering multiple injuries.
The trail, which translates into English as Red Ridge – is near the mountain’s summit with sheer drops on either side.
Officials have previously warned it should only be attempted by experienced climbers, with up to ten people killed a year on the route.
Kate Robertson, senior coroner for North West Wales, concluded William’s death was accidental.
She added: “He was doing something that he loved in an area that he loved.”
William had served seven years in the Royal Signals – carrying out tours in both Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands.
After he left the military, he set up a hiking business and carried out charity work for veterans in Bournemouth, Dorset, where he lived with his partner.
Shortly before his death, William had just completed a walk on Mount Everest and was planning other trips to the world’s highest mountain.
His dad Alistair Onion said: “He passed at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month – a soldier through and through and a son that no man could have been prouder of.
“He was happy, loved and whoever met him thought the world of him.”