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British climber Andrew Foster crushed to death in Yosemite rock fall

Andrew Foster and his wife are thought to have been scouting the ascent up El Capitan when a sheet of granite fell on them.

Lucy and Andrew Foster
Image: Andrew Foster was crushed to death, while his wife Lucy was injured and is in hospital
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A spokesman for the park confirmed his identity. His wife Lucy, who was also hiking in Yosemite, was injured and remains in hospital.

Andrew Foster
Image: Andrew Foster was a 'skilled and competent climber'

The couple, who were found with climbing equipment, are thought to have been scouting the ascent from a trail when a "sheet" of granite around 40 metres by 20 metres (131ft by 65ft) fell from a height of around 200 metres 650ft.


The rockfall from the face of the El Capitan. Pic: Jon Kameen/PA Wire
Image: The rock fall from the face of the El Capitan. Pic: Jon Kameen/PA Wire

"From what I understand they were buried under rock... they were crushed by falling rocks."

Both suffered injuries "consistent with tonnes of granite falling on you," he added.

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They were the only known casualties, despite being part of a group of other climbers when the collapse took place.

Witness Mike Kane tweeted that the collapse was "very loud", adding it was a "miracle more (were) not hurt".

Andrew Foster
Image: Andrew Foster is thought to have been scouting an ascent when the rockfall happened

Friends of the couple said: "Andy and Lucy both lived for climbing and adventure. They were both highly skilled and competent climbers and this was a tragic case of wrong place and the wrong time.

"Lucy is still in hospital but is stable and is with friends and family."

Mr Foster's employer, adventure sports firm Patagonia, said: "It is with much sadness that we mourn the loss of our dear friend and colleague Andrew Foster, who was killed in a tragic accident in Yosemite.

"Andy was a sales representative working in our UK team and had been with the business for five years.

"He was a much-loved member of our team and a passionate climber, mountaineer and skier who loved being in the outdoors.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Lucy and their families. We offer them our deepest sympathies."

On Thursday, a second rock fall at the site saw one person injured. They were airlifted to hospital.

Mr Foster's death is the first fatality from a rock fall in the park in four years, with the previous death occurring in 1999, according to the parks service.
