Carluke man (35) dies on Ben Nevis

Aug 21 2008 by George Topp, Lanark & Carluke

A CARLUKE man has died after collapsing on Ben Nevis at the weekend.

David Menzies (35), was descending the mountain, just after 2pm on Saturday, when he became unwell and collapsed.

Mr Menzies, who lived in Samson Crescent, had been walking on Scotland’s highest mountain with some friends. One raised the alarm by calling 999 and the police arranged for a rescue helicopter to be scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth.

It went to the walker’s aid and he was airlifted to Belford Hospital, Fort William.

A spokeswoman for Northern Constabulary said Mr Menzies had been pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at hospital. A post mortem was carried out earlier this week to ascertain the cause of his death.

Mr Menzies was a Carluke man, educated at the town’s High School, and has family in the town. This week they, and his friends and neighbours, were trying to come to terms with the tragedy.

Mr Menzies is survived by his wife Ruth, parents Alex and Margaret and brother Lee.

An aerospace engineer at Prestwick Airport, Mr Menzies and his wife had only moved into Samson Crescent within the past couple of years. His sudden death has shocked neighbours who spoke of a man who enjoyed hill-walking. Mr Menzies also cycled, sometimes locally, sometimes heading off with friends.

“He was a hard-working guy, leaving early for work at about 6am every morning, and someone you would take to be fit, so his sudden death is something of a shock,” said another.

Locals described him as a “very friendly man and very good neighbour.” One woman living in the street added: “They were quiet, but a really nice and friendly couple.”

Carluke councillor Ian Gray knew David through a long friendship between the latter and his son, stretching back to Carluke High School days.

He said: “David was a really nice boy and turned into an absolute gentleman. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

TRAGEDY : aerospace engineer David Menzies was hiking on Britain’s highest peak when he collapsed and died.