David Littlejohn accuses Shane Williams of ‘letting go of the rope’
Tim Hanlon and Carl Eve Crime Reporter
18:31, 26 May 2025
Emergency services on the scene following an incident in the Avon Gorge.(Image: Dan Regan)
A climber who broke his neck and may be forced to have both legs amputated blames his climb partner for allegedly letting go of the rope.
David Littlejohn, 55, is suing Shane Williams for £1 million compensation following the incident at Avon Gorge, Bristol, in May, 2023.
Mr Littlejohn broke his sternum, pelvis and feet after falling down a 56-foot rock face.
They were taking part in a climb known as the Arms Race when he claims he put his weight on the rope under the impression that Mr Williams had a firm grip on it.
He claims that his climbing partner let go of the rope without telling him, with the result that he went crashing down the rock face, The Daily Mirror reports.
Two years on from the accident and Mr Littlejohn still has constant back pain, his orthopaedic surgeon reportedly told a court, and he may need to have both legs amputated if reconstructive surgery on his feet does not work out.
Mr Littlejohn also claims that he suffers from anxiety and depression as well as panic attacks since his fall. Documents presented to the High Court allege that he is only able to walk using a four-wheel aid.
Avon Gorge
He is also said that he trusted Mr Williams as capable as he was a member of The Climbers Club, where members must be proposed and then seconded before they can join.
In the court documents he alleges that Mr Williams failed to have “due regard for his personal safety” and act in accordance with his experience as a competent amateur climber.
Mr Littlejohn, of Lymsham, near Weston-super-Mare, told The Telegraph : “I hope this will be resolved quickly given the serious impact of my severe injuries on me, my family and my work life.”
Stephanie Clarke of Stewarts Law, Mr Littlejohn’s solicitor, states in the claim: “The defendant had let go of the rope or otherwise taken the claimant off belay where it had not been clearly and unequivocally communicated by the claimant as leader that this was required.”
Mr Williams’s legal team at Browne Jacobson solicitors have yet to file a defence against the claim with the court. The Mirror has contacted Browne Jacobson for a statement.
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