North Wales Police officer shares story of lost walkers found years apart in Eryri tragedy

A police officer and mountain rescue volunteer is highlighting the dangers of walking in Eryri after the tragic discovery of two experienced mountaineers, found 12 years apart in the same gully on Pen yr Ole Wen.

Sergeant Paul Terry of the North Wales Police Drone Unit has shared details of the case, which saw the remains of walkers David Brookfield and Shane Colaco recovered from the Ogwen Valley last year.

David Brookfield, 65, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, went missing on 9 January 2024 while walking alone in the Carneddau mountain range.

He last contacted his wife via text from the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn. It is believed he later entered a gully during his descent from Pen yr Ole Wen, where he suffered a fatal fall.

Despite extensive searches in harsh winter conditions, his body was not found until 10 May 2024, when a Coastguard helicopter crew spotted it during a routine training exercise.

During the recovery operation, mountain rescue volunteers also found the remains of 33-year-old Shane Colaco in the same gully. Shane, a doctor from Stoke-on-Trent, had gone missing in the Carneddau range 12 years earlier.

Shane had planned his route and left details with others but was never seen again. It is believed his descent also took the same fatal turn.

Sergeant Terry said: “This story and these circumstances really are quite exceptional, and my thoughts and feelings are very much with both David and Shane’s families as we tell the public about this story.”

[Shane Calaco and David Brookfield]

While recovering David, a mountain rescue team member found an old jacket containing a car key, which was later confirmed to belong to Shane.

Further drone searches led to the discovery of Shane’s remains nearby.

Sergeant Terry said: “One of the winchmen who located David from the helicopter was also part of RAF 22 Squadron looking for Shane 12 years earlier.

“This brings so many people together around two really sad stories, but it shows the amazing willingness and determination of volunteers and the emergency services to find both these men.”

[Shane Colaco’s jacket discovered on Pen yr Ole Wen]

Sergeant Terry warned that both walkers had been well prepared and experienced.

“It’s always possible that something will go wrong,” he said.

“Eryri is an incredible place, it’s beautiful, and on a good day, the mountains look achievable and accessible. But it’s important to understand the scale of these hills and the impact of weather – and how quickly it can change.”

He urged anyone planning to walk in Eryri to follow safety advice:

Understand your limitations

Learn safe mountain walking techniques

Plan your route and communicate it

Know your descent route

Call 999 and ask for mountain rescue in an emergency

Wear appropriate clothing and carry sufficient food and water

Wear bright colours and keep phones charged

Sergeant Terry added: “We want you to come and enjoy these beautiful mountains in Eryri, but come and be safe.”

He also paid tribute to the volunteers who carry out rescues across the region: “They all come together with the sole purpose of saving lives and protecting people in the mountains.”