Martial arts coach, 19, dies in mountain climb fall
Phil Zhu died "almost instantly" after an accident on the mountain, the inquest heard
- Published
A 19-year-old died "almost instantly鈥 when he slipped on loose rock while coming down from a mountain in north Wales.
Jia Jun Philip Zhu, known as Phil, from Seaforth, Merseyside, was walking on Tryfan in May with his two younger brothers when he fell down the mountain into a gulley, an inquest at Ruthin Coroner's Court in Denbighshire heard.
Coroner John Gittins concluded that Mr Zhu's death was an accident.
Speaking after the inquest, his family described him as a super young man who would be terribly missed by everyone who knew him.
Phil Zhu sustained unsurvivable injuries, a post mortem examination found
The hearing was told that Mr Zhu was a student and martial arts coach from the Seaforth area, who had left school at 18 and was hoping to join the RAF.
He and his two brothers were in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia, on Bank Holiday Monday at the end of May.
They had walked to the top of Tryfan and were descending in poor weather with low cloud.
One of Mr Zhu鈥檚 brothers told police how they were trying to take a short cut, and he had ended up climbing on loose rock, but lost his balance and fell.
Pathologist Dr Chloe Durrell, who did a post mortem examination, gave evidence read at the inquest that Mr Zhu had suffered unsurvivable head and spinal injuries in the fall.
Recording a conclusion of accidental death, coroner Mr Gittins said: 鈥淗e will be sorely missed by everyone.
鈥淢ay I send particular condolences to his two brothers who had the additional tragedy of being there, and coping with that trauma.鈥
Speaking after the hearing Phil Zhu鈥檚 uncle, Philip Cheng, thanked the community for the support the family had received after his death.
鈥淧hil gave up a lot of time to help train young people in Mixed Martial Arts, and everyone at the gym where he was based has been amazing," he said.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e raised money which we hope can help support talented young people from deprived areas to train and compete in mixed martial arts.
鈥淚t will create a legacy for his work as coach.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very proud of Phil.听He was a special young man and a massive loss to his family and his community.鈥