Scout death: Chances to prevent fatal fall, hears inquest

Ben Leonard was on a scouts trip when he fell from a cliff edge

There were opportunities to prevent the death of a teenage scout who fell from a cliff, an inquest has been told.

Ben Leonard, 16, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, died after falling from cliffs on the Great Orme, Llandudno, in 2018.

Det Sgt Paul Terry told the Manchester inquest there had been "grave failings" in organising the trip.

But he added a review of the evidence did not meet the threshold for criminal charges to be brought.

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Ben had been on a camping trip organised by his Explorer Scouts group to the Eryri national park, with the intention of climbing Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon.

However, the plans were changed due to poor weather and instead the group were taken to Llandudno, in Conwy county.

Ben and two friends took an alternative path during an outing to the Great Orme

The teenager was walking unsupervised with two other boys when he tried to find a way down from the hillside, but fell 60m (200ft) from a cliff on to a road.

Mr Terry, who has been investigating the death, told the hearing there had been "a failure to make sound and safe decisions" and a "failure to brief the children" on safety matters both in the planning and execution of the trip.

"My findings through my investigation have confirmed that failings did in fact take place and I'm sad to hear some of the evidence shows the failings were really quite grave," he said.

"It's difficult to read some of the (evidence) transcripts and see the missed opportunities."

The inquest continues.