UK Hiker Chokes To Death after Backpack Straps 'Got Caught On Ledge'

A 62-year-old British hiker was choked to death after his rucksack straps got stuck on a ledge he was climbing on a mountain in Marbella.

The search for him started on Saturday evening after he sent an SOS WhatsApp text to his loved ones back in the United Kingdom. The family promptly contacted the police, and the urgency was relayed to the Spanish authority via consular officials in Malaga.

From there, civil guard officers in the Oren area near Marbella and fire-fighters embarked on a search for him. The working theory was he had gotten lost and fell.

The body was found at 9 am from a police helicopter involved in the search. When they found the body and suspended the search, it seemed his rucksack may have suffocated him after straps were caught on a ledge. It happened as he fell, and they formed a noose around his neck.

However, the results from the post mortem are yet to confirm this theory on the cause of death. A local judge has been placed in charge of investigating the tragedy. Though no there yet to be any evidence of foul play.

The mountain the 62-year-old hiker was trying to climb is known as La Concha. It is shy of 4,000 feet and provides one of the best views of the Costa del Sol coastline, the ocean and Morocco if it is a clear day.

It is very popular as a getaway destination for both the locals and tourists, though the summer is not the best time to attempt the hike. It takes into account the considerably hot summer temperatures. Though it is a favorite destination, it is not unheard of for the hikers not familiar with the terrain to get lost particularly on the way back down from the mountain peak.

In 2008, three tourists got lost in the area and initiated a massive air and land rescue after they got lost on a mountain peak in ninety-degree heat. The trio started calling their friends after they ran out of supplies while attempting to reach the peak.

It made things worse as they tried to reach the trio without the right equipment and they forced a second rescue for them as well. The local civil protection head, Jesus Egia who coordinated the rescue, released a statement saying they were not prepared for the search.

More signposts have since been placed though to help hikers stick to the designated paths.
There are no details yet concerning when the Brit began walking to the summit and if he was sufficiently experienced to make the climb despite the weather conditions at the time.