British hiker, 65, dies after plunging 165ft into lake in Andorran mountains 

British hiker, 65, who was a steward with Everton FC, dies after plunging 165ft into lake in Andorran mountains

  • A 65-year-old fell in to Jucla Lake, one of Andorra’s 70 lakes, and died Thursday
  • He fell from a height of around 165ft after becoming separated from companion 
  • The person he was with raised the alarm on Wednesday evening at around 7pm 

The Brit who died in hospital after a mountain fall in Andorra was today named as Everton FC steward Clive Betteridge. 

The 65-year-old fell into Jucla Lake, one of the country’s 70 lakes, from a height of around 165ft after becoming separated from his walking companion.

He was airlifted to hospital following the Wednesday afternoon accident, but failed to overcome the serious injuries he sustained and died on Thursday morning.

The person he was with, whose nationality is not known, raised the alarm on Wednesday evening around 7pm.

The 65-year-old fell into Jucla Lake (pictured), one of the country’s 70 lakes, from a height of around 165ft

The pair had come from France and were heading towards a mountain refuge known as Jucla Refuge, which is situated in the parish of Canillo next to the lake of the same name at the end of Incles Valley. 

Kate Wharton, vicar at St Bartholomew’s in Roby where Mr Betteridge was a church warden, said in a statement in which she offered condolences to his wife Jacqui and daughter Ruth: ‘Clive was one of the mainstays of the church and community having served here for almost 30 years as Sunday School teacher, choir master, in the church band, as part of the gardening team, and as church warden.

‘He will be much missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to Jacqui and Ruth and the whole family.’

Wellwisher Sean Finch wrote on Facebook: ‘Fly high and rest in peace fella. Condolences to your family.’

Ashleigh Skillen said: ‘So sad. From fellow steward RIP. Sad news to hear.’ 

Firefighters specialised in mountain rescues were mobilised and reached the unnamed Brit with the aid of a helicopter.

Andorra’s Emergency Medical Service SUM also participated in the operation.

Local reports said the hiker had suffered a heart attack at the scene, but was revived before being taken to hospital in a ‘very serious’ condition around 8pm on Wednesday.

The pair had come from France and were heading towards a mountain refuge known as Jucla Refuge, which is situated in the parish of Canillo next to the lake of the same name at the end of Incles Valley

The pair had come from France and were heading towards a mountain refuge known as Jucla Refuge, which is situated in the parish of Canillo next to the lake of the same name at the end of Incles Valley

Sources at Nostra Senyora de Meritxell Hospital in Andorra confirmed he had died on Thursday morning. He is understood to have suffered another heart attack whilst in an intensive care unit which he failed to recover from.

In March a British snowboarder died after smashing into a tree at an Andorran ski resort.

The unnamed 59-year-old was pronounced dead after being rushed to base station with life-threatening injuries following the accident.

His wife is understood to have been on the ski slopes with him although he was alone when he hurt himself.

The incident happened around 1pm on March 25 at the emblematic Avet slope, which is one of Grandvalira Ski Resort’s most famous slopes in the tiny principality and has hosted prestigious competitions such as the 2012 Women’s Skiing World Cup.

Jucla Lake, in the north-east of the country, is Andorra’s largest. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk