Two women die in separate hiking accidents

Two women have died in separate walking accidents in Eryri National Park in the past 10 days.

Maria Eftimova, 28, a University of Salford student from Bulgaria, fell around 65 feet (20 meters) while hiking Tryfan mountain on February 22.

The other walker slipped on a patch of grass and fell approximately 32ft (10m) on 16 February while hiking Glyder Fach, Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation said.

The rescue team said: "The thoughts of all involved are with the casualties' families and friends, thank you to all the members of the public who tried to help."

On 16 February a couple were descending the main face of Glyder Fach when the woman slipped on a patch of grass and fell.

Her partner also fell while trying to reach her and suffered head and wrist injuries but managed to call for help and began CPR, a rescue spokesperson said.

In a statement, they added an air ambulance was unable to access the couple so they were reached by rescue teams on foot, but the woman did not survive.

The second woman, Maria Eftimova, was part of a group and fell around 65ft into steep terrain while ascending the north-ridge of Tryfan mountain on 22 February, which stands at at 917m (3,010ft).

Passersby with climbing equipment abseiled down to make Ms Eftimova safe, while a nearby team member started CPR, according to the rescue team.

Ms Eftimova died from her injuries and she was brought down to the mountain rescue base.

Megan Griffiths, Ms Eftimova's best friend said she was so thankful to Maria's friends, crew, and the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue team for their efforts to save her.

She added: "Maria was a one of a kind person who lived life to the fullest - not only adventurous and free-spirited but also incredibly kind, intelligent, and selfless.

"Her tragic loss will be felt by so many, and we are absolutely devastated to lose such a precious friend."

Another friend, Victoria Critchley said: "Maria was an ambitious, bright and cherished, whose vibrant personality, energy and aura touched and uplifted all around her.

"She had a passion for engineering, having studied civil engineering at the University of Salford and a love for extreme sports.

"Her biggest passion being snowboarding, which she was super excited for and looking forward to doing again on her upcoming trip to Austria.

"She had an insatiable thirst for life and exploring our world's beauty.

"Tragically, she was taken from her family far far far too soon.

"Words cannot express the devastation her family and our community are experiencing."

Ms Critchley said adding to their immense grief, the family, who reside in Bulgaria, faced a significant financial burden to repatriate Maria to "give her the dignified farewell with her loved ones that she deserves".

Tryfan is often described as a peak that marks the line between hiking and mountaineering and is difficult to navigate in a traditional manner, especially in poor weather.

With no marked footpaths to the summit, it requires using hands and scrambling skills to reach the top.

It was used as a training ground to test oxygen equipment and safety techniques before the first ever successful climb of Everest in 1953.

Chris Lloyd, chairman of Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation, has encouraged people to "check the weather forecast and make sure you are suitable equipped" before venturing on the mountains.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Mr Lloyd said: "The amount of times we are called because people have been caught out by darkness because they didn't bring a torch with them even though it's a really simple thing."

He said there is still snow on the top of the mountains at 3,000ft and described the rocks during the day as "greasy" due to damp in the air.