Family horror after teen, 18, plunges to his death while posing for selfie on mountainside with pals
A TEENAGER was killed in a freak accident while posing for a selfie on a mountain ledge, an inquest heard.
Fynley Jones, 18 was walking with school friends when they stopped to take pictures at the top of 1,400ft Pen-Pych mountain in Wales.
But tragedy struck when Fynley “lost his footing” as he posed on a ledge – and he plunged down a “considerable drop” as his horrified pals watched.
An inquest heard emergency services rushed to the scene on Pen-Pych mountain in the Rhondda Valleys.
Paramedics battled to save the teenager but he died from his injuries that day.
A post mortem examination revealed Fynley, who loved mountaineering, surfing and skateboarding, died of a “blunt head injury.”
The A-Level student, of nearby Pentre, had been due to start studying Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at Aberystwyth University after securing a place.
Assistant coroner Rachel Knight said: “Fynley had been together with a group of school friends, taking photographs at the top of the mountain.
“Fynley decided to pose for photographs on a ledge which was precarious, and sadly, he lost his footing and fell.
“The fall was down a considerable drop, and Fynley sustained fatal injuries.”
The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death at the inquest in Pontypridd, South Wales.
Treorchy Comprehensive School paid a moving tribute to Fynley and his “generosity” after his death.
‘TALENTED AND POPULAR’
A school spokesman said: “Fynley’s sudden death has shattered the Year 13 community of which, he was an integral part.
“As a school, we are devastated at the tragic loss of this talented and popular young man who had a future so full of promise ahead of him.
“Fynley’s generosity of spirit shone through and he will be remembered for his passionate public mindedness.
“He felt a clear duty to improve the community in which he lived and to support those less fortunate than he.
“He was a member of the Rhondda Youth Forum and part of a team who secured £2,000 of funding for community projects in Wales, including an initiative to support young people financially in attending university Open Days and the building of a Community Garden.”
They continued: “Fynley lived life to the full. He had a real sense of adventure and enjoyed activities including mountaineering, parkour, surfing and skateboarding.
“He was a member of the school’s Combined Cadet Force and relished the opportunities this gave him to take part in the outdoor pursuits he loved.
“Fynley also participated in school drama productions, including School of Rock, the Young Playwright competition and travelled with the school to France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
“An enthusiastic and able student, Fynley was nearing the end of his A-Level courses in Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics and had secured a place to study Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at Aberystwyth University.
“His girlfriend and close group of friends have described him as bringing joy and fun to everything they did together. He will be greatly missed by us all.”