Man, 20, dies in mountain fall

Lorraine Tinney • Published 25 Aug 2009 14:00

TRIBUTES have been paid to a student who has died in a climbing accident.

Ross Moodie, 20, a former pupil of St Columba's School, Kilmacolm, died on Friday morning.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed Ross died on Friday in an accident in mountains near Paleros, in the prefecture of Aitoloakarnania in central Greece.

His devastated parents, Sandy and Karen, have flown out to Greece, while at home tributes have been paid to a 'fine young man, too young to be taken from us'.

David Girdwood, rector at St Columba's, said: "The school community is shocked and desperately saddened to learn of the death of Ross Moodie as a result of a climbing accident. Ross had been working in Greece over the summer, something he had done before."

He spent all of his school years at St Columba's starting in nursery and left in 2006. Mr Girdwood said: "Ross will be remembered in many different ways - on the rugby field where he was a stalwart of the 1st XV, putting his size to good use as a second row forward.

"He won colours for rugby. He was a very successful pipe major of the pipe band and gained a gold award in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, in addition to achieving the Award Leadership certificate.

"He also attained academic success, winning a place to study marketing and management in Newcastle."

Mr Girdwood passed on his condolences to his family.

He said: "Ross was a good friend to many. He was a fine young man, too young to be taken from us.

"Our thoughts at this time are with his brothers, Jamie and Duncan, also former pupils, and with his parents, Sandy and Karen."

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 25 Aug 09

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