A CLIMBING instructor who travelled the world pursuing his sport has died in a fall only 20 miles from his home.
James Martin, 29, from Dumfries, fell about 60ft on sea cliffs at Port o'Warren on the Solway Firth, near Dalbeattie, on Sunday.
His companion, Craig Henderson, 27, a member of Moffat hill rescue team, tried to save him, but he was dead when the emergency services arrived.
Mr Henderson's wife, Jude - who is Mr Martin's step-sister - said yesterday that the two, both sticklers for safety, had tested a rock before climbing on to it. But when Mr Martin stepped on the outcrop, it broke.
Mr Henderson, who was roped to his companion, immediately tried to take in the slack on the rope to break his fall.
He then went to Mr Martin's aid and used his mobile phone to call a fellow member of the hill rescue team.
The team went to the scene with police, an ambulance crew and a doctor. But there was nothing they could do to save Mr Martin.
Mrs Henderson, 28, said:
"James and Craig left to go climbing in the afternoon.
Craig had climbed on these cliffs before but it was the first time for James."
She added: "James was a really fine chap. Everyone who knew him loved and admired him."
Yesterday, his friends and family spoke about the loss of "an exceptional man who always put other people first".
He was a qualified pharmacist who did locum work throughout the country, a job that fitted in with his love of outdoor sports activities.
His father Stuart, 56, said at the family home in Marchhill Drive, Dumfries: "We are devastated by James' death. He was a very fine young man who loved to help people less fortunate than himself.
"He was a keen climber and had trained as an instructor at a six-month course in Wales.
He instructed all sorts of people, including soldiers, and was very much into safety."
He added: "He loved all outdoor sports including snowboarding and snorkelling. He was a world traveller and had even gone for a jungle trek in Belize."
A Dumfries and Galloway Police spokesman said it was estimated that James had fallen about 20 metres. He said inquiries were going on to find out the cause of the accident.
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