Runner died falling off knife-edge ridge while picking up his dog

A dad-of-three training for a 100-mile race fell to his death from a knife-edge mountain ridge while reaching for his dog, an inquest has heard.

Thomas Smith, 36, suffered "catastrophic" injuries when he plummeted from Crib Goch ridge on Yr Wyddfa - Snowdon - on 16 August.

His partner, Shelly Price, told the hearing in Caernarfon he lived an "incredibly active life" and was "excited" about the route.

She said the plasterer, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was due to climb Yr Wyddfa twice in one day as part of his training for an ultra marathon the following weekend. The inquest was told there was "perfect visibility" that day.

Shelly Price said she had spoken to him on the phone that morning after he had taken the Watkin Path to the summit.

"He was very excited about the rest of the day," she said.

Walker Stuart Alder was also on Crib Goch, which reaches 3,028ft (923 metres), at about 11:30 BST with his two children when he saw Smith with his spaniel.

He told the inquest: "The man leaned forward and reached for the dog. He lost his footing and tripped and fell off the ledge."

He called 999.

Fellow hiker Connor Holler was carrying a large first aid kit with trauma equipment, and managed to reach Smith.

He said, "it was instantly apparent that he had suffered catastrophic injuries".

He bandaged Smith's head, but he then stopped breathing and had no pulse.

The first-aider was then joined by a paramedic who confirmed Smith had died.

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team recovered Smith, and since the accident his partner has raised more than £8,000 for the volunteers.

She said the team was "instrumental in making sure that he was cared for and rescued off the mountain so that he could be brought home to his family".

Senior coroner for north-west Wales Kate Robertson said a post-mortem examination found Smith had suffered multiple injuries after falling from a height.

"Tom's death was unintended, it was unexpected," she said.

"He died doing something that he loved, but his life was lost too soon, no doubt."

A conclusion of accidental death was recorded.