A TEENAGER died after he fell 50ft off a crag.

An inquest heard yesterday, how Calum Ross Williams and three of his friends travelled from Darlington to Buttermere, in the Lake District, in June.

The boys had planned their route, but had mistaken the crag they were climbing – Eagle Crag – for the one they were supposed to scramble – Grey Crag.

Dressed in shorts, T-shirts and trainers, the four boys split into pairs, with Calum, 17, and a friend climbing first.

The other two turned back after climbing so far because one of the boys, aged 16, said he was uncomfortable.

The inquest, in Cumbria, heard how Calum, a former Hummersknott School pupil, and his friend carried on climbing, but moments later Calum became stuck and called for help.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “Calum told me he was stuck and I told him to stay still and went to try and help him. I was about level with him, but I could not see him and that is when he shouted and slipped.”

Calum’s mother, Gail, sobbed as the inquest heard how the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College student fell.

His friends realised his injuries were serious and tried to call for help, but they had no signal on their mobile phones, so one of the boys ran to a nearby farm. Calum was taken to hospital, but pronounced dead on arrival.

Christopher Cookson, from Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team, said people should use ropes when climbing Eagle Crag.

Calum’s father, Stuart, said he was unaware he was going scrambling and climbing and thought he was going walking.

He said if he had known, he would have asked “a lot more questions”.

He said his son did not have any outdoor climbing experience and he had only ever used an indoor climbing wall.

He said: “He was very physical and capable and strong, but his experience in climbing was pretty much zero.

“Calum was extremely confident in his own ability, which was misguided at times. He was very determined and if he was going to do something, he would do it.”

Mr Roberts recorded a verdict that Calum died as a result of misadventure.