A British boy died on a school trip in the Austrian Alps after plunging down a crevasse as he tried to save a friend from falling.
Hayden Waller, 12, a pupil at The Howard School, in Gillingham, Kent, set off with three other boys on a dangerous trek up a mountain during their afternoon "freetime" at the resort of Mallnitz.
Police said that in an "adventurous spirit", they strayed from a path and Hayden, who was on his first ever skiing trip and was wearing only trainers, broke his neck after falling 30ft backwards down a ravine.
Officers said he had probably saved the life of Stafford Bain 14, by catching his fall.
An officer said: "His friend was standing above him when he fell and Hayden tried to catch him but both then slipped backwards. The boy that fell slid on his belly and landed in a tree after ten feet, but Hayden fell backwards for more than 30 feet, bouncing from rock to rock as he fell down the almost vertical drop."
When teachers were alerted at a nearby hotel, two of them put their own lives at risk by trekking through the woods and climbing down to find the boy. They attempted to resuscitate him until help arrived.
In hazardous conditions, firemen mounted high powered search lights on the mountain side to guide a helicopter in, carrying an emergency surgeon suspended from a 130 foot rope. However he was only able to confirm that the boy had died instantly in the fall.
advertisement. Hayden's parents, Gary, 35, and Hayley, 31, were said to be in a "dreadful state" and have flown to Austria along with Hayden's 10-year-old brother, Aaron.
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Hayden Waller, 12, was trying to rescue a friend on a mountainside when he lost his footing and plunged 30ft on to rocks, breaking his neck.
In a statement, his mother Hayley said: "Everyone loved him. He was the most loveable, likeable child you have ever come across and we are absolutely devastated."
Hayden was among four boys who were trekking a short distance up a mountain from their hotel to a viewpoint.
But one lost his footing and slide about 30ft down the mountainside.
Just a thought,but when people respond to those who leave hateful/hurtful comments,you only 'feed' them.It's what they want,people to react with,(justifiable),disgust.Totally ignoring them instantly disempowers them,which they hate!
Young Hayden clearly was a real friend,trying to assist his mate,& we could learn something from him.R.I.P,young man!
popazz1 9 months ago 10
Hayden might have left for that trip as a boy, but he died as a man. the greatest gift of love is giving u one's life for another.
babymakingmachine33 1 year ago 5