Pictured: ‘Adventurous family man’ who fell to his death on narrow Glen Coe is named by friends and family

  •  Graham Cox, 63, was one of three who fell to their death in Glen Coe
  •  Devastated friends have paid tribute to Graham via social media

Tributes have been paid to an ‘adventurous family man’ who fell to his death on a narrow ridge on a mountain in Glen Coe.

Three climbers died during heavy rains on Saturday after they tried to navigate the notorious Aonach Eagach, widely known as the UK’s most treacherous hillwalking ridge.

James Graham Cox, 63, from Southport, England, has been named as one of the three hikers who died.

Graham, alongside two others, were roped together when they fell, which sources close to the search said is ‘pretty normal’ for people to be roped together on sections of the Aonach Eagach Ridge. 

The trio were reported missing soon after 9pm, and a rescue was launched, finding their bodies the next day.

James Graham Cox, 63, from Southport, England, has been named as one of the three hikers who died

Graham was due to celebrate his 64th birthday the day after the tragedy

The Ridge on Aonach Eagach, Glencoe, Scottish Highlands

Graham was due to celebrate his 64th birthday the day after the tragedy, and devastated friends have paid tribute to him via social media.

Andy Webb said: ‘Sad news – Graham Cox, who I knew as Jim, passed away in a climbing accident in Glen Coe at the weekend.

‘A thoroughly decent guy, adventurous, great sense of humour, family man and real love of music. Just awful news.

‘I spent recent years at Cropredy Festival with him, I’m going there this week so I’ll raise a glass to him. RIP Jim.’

Andy Ormesher wrote: ‘Graham was one of my classmates from aged 11-18. We last met up at Northern Kin Festival in April. A deep felt loss.’

Aly Linaker added: ‘So tragic.’

The identities of the two who Graham died with have not been released yet, and police have confirmed there don’t appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Police, the RAF, Glencoe Mountain Rescue, and HM Coastguard all took part in the rescue effort on Saturday night

Aonach Eagach is said to be one of the narrowest ridges on the British mainland. Pictured, Glencoe on the map

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘We were made aware of concern for a group of three hillwalkers who had not returned from the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe shortly after 9.05pm on Saturday, 5 August.

‘A search was carried out and the bodies of three people were found. HM Coastguard as well as Glencoe and RAF mountain rescue teams assisted with the recovery operation.’There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.’

A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: ‘HM Coastguard assisted Police Scotland following reports of three missing walkers in Glen Coe on Saturday, 5 August.

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