We were hoping this day would never come, but unfortunately the first fatal climbing accident on Kalymnos happened today. A Swiss climber lost his life this afternoon at sector Summertime/Magoulias Wall when he fell to the ground from the top of the route Fred 6b (30m). The exact cause of the accident cannot be determined, but it looks like the climber made a fatal error whilst untying and threading his rope through the lower-off, which is non-clipable (2 rings). The Kalymnos Rescue Team and the ambulance rushed to the crag, but it was already too late.
All of us here on the island, climbers and non-climbers alike, have been shocked and saddened by this unthinkable tragedy. On behalf of everybody on the Rescue Team and at Climb Kalymnos, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family, who were with him at the crag, and to all who loved him.
We are so very sorry for your loss.
23 Comments
My husband and I were climbing on Magulas Wall a few weeks ago when we came across the Memorial for Fred. We were shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Fred. Having experienced a recent bereavement, I can truly empathise with the anguish and sense of loss that his family and close friendships are feeling at this point in time.
Bernie and I said some prayers alongside the memorial and I plan to lay some flowers on the memorial when we return to Kalymnos next year. Fred’s family remain in our thoughts.
Michelle and Bernie Bradbury UK
Hi Barbara, we have emailed your sister in law. We met the Austrian couple (Karoline) and she gave us her email. Hope that she has recieved it. I will also email you. Thanks.
I will miss him at work. He was one of the most scientifically driven and fair person I’ve worked with.
I had to cry as I heard about this tragic accident. I hope this will never happen again. Kalymnos is my second love. How can this happen. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Family.
The loss of a climber always touches the heart of the climbing community around the world. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family and friends. He obviously had a heart for a full life and that makes it even harder to let him go. A few months after climbing on Kalymnos we lost a good friend who was on another adventure. I feel for you all. Vaya con Dios!
dear claire and all the other climbers of kalymnos
my sister in law would love to contact claire and her husband and the two italians who were climbing next to them. would you guys or anyone who knows them please contact me on bschnueriger@gmx.com? and anyone who was there too, please?
thanks so much
barbara
It was sad to hear of the sad loss of a climber. We were there only a short time before the tragedy and witnessed happy people enjoying a fantastic day out. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and people who helped at the time.
Another sad news in this week of tragedy… Our deepest condolences to the family, friends and every climber on the island.
E’ davvero una tragedia, condoglianze alla famiglia…
claire, thanks so much! I will tell them.
I am so sorry that this happened!!!
I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family of the unlucky Swiss climber.
I’m so sad. One of us… My and deepest condolences to the family.
My brother in law was the most wonderful person in any way I can think of. What a loss for our family. I like to think that he was in a state of pure happiness when this tragedy took place. He had found paradise in Kalymnos he said and for some reason he left us there. His gorgeous wife and lovely girls will miss him endlessly. We all do.
Mes plus sincères condoléances à la famille de la victime. Triste jour sur cette ile merveilleuse.
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Philippe M.
Ich bin tieftraurig über diese Nachricht. Ich schicke meiner Jugendfreundin ganz viel Kraft!!!!! Ich denke an sie und an ihre drei Mädchen. Die ganze Situation und der Schmerz sind unvorstellbar. Gruss aus der Schweiz Maja
Barbara, my husband and I were climbing next to your brother and his family when he had the accident and I just wanted to say that he did seem truely very happy to be there climbing with his wife and children. I am sorry that we couldn’t have done more to help him. Please pass our love to his wife and children, she was so strong in such terrible circumstances.
I am so saddened to hear this news. My heart goes out to the climber’s family and friends. My thoughts are also with the rescue team there, who responded to the incident. I am so sorry to hear this news.
Unbelievable!!! What a sad day…
When I think to Kalymnos my mind is full of just wonderful things… Really unbelievable…
Condolences to the family and friends of unlucky climber!
Luca Polucci
I am so sorry… I love the island, I love Switzerland and I love climbing so I feel really sorry.. at least he was doing something he liked in the most beautiful place. My thoughts to the ones left behind.
Toutes mes condoléances, verry bad day!
thanks so much for your thoughts and sympathy. my brother adored kalymnos and it is a comfort that he was so happy in his last days.
I would like to thank the community from the bottom of my heart for the support you all gave my sister in law and her children.
tragic. i am most saddened to hear this news from afar. even though i left kalymnos almost 3 years ago…it still holds a very special place in my heart. i send my love not only to the family, but to all the people in the climbing community of kalymnos.
I would like to express my sincere and deepest condolences to the family of the Swiss climber. All of us feel the sorrow and our thoughts are with you.
Birgit from the old Climbers’s Nest in Armeós.