SCOTTISH mountain rescue expert David "Heavy" Whalley, who led the response to the Lockerbie bombing, has passed away aged 72.
Whalley's death was confirmed on Monday. Last year he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
As one of the most experienced mountain rescue experts in the country, he led the response as senior team leader to the Lockerbie disaster in December 1988.
The Ayrshire-born expert was also involved in the hunt for survivors when a Chinook helicopter crashed on Mull of Kintyre in 1994 and the four RAF crew and 25 terrorism experts were killed.
Over his 40 years serving with the RAF, Whalley attended more than 1000 mountain incidents and helped save hundreds of lives.
He climbed in the Alps, the Himalayas, India, Pakistan Tibet, Canada, Yosemite, Alaska and the Falklands, as well as also serving as team leader of RAF Leuchars, RAF Kinloss, and deputy team leader at RAF Valley in North Wales.
In an interview, he was previously asked about the impact of Lockerbie and other accidents on himself and the team, as well as what had changed in how mountain rescue mental health was now considered.
He said: "I see big changes nowadays. There is nothing romantic about dying in the mountains, it’s horrific. In my first year in the team, 3 climbers fell on Tower Ridge on the Ben. We carried them to the CIC hut. I was one of four who went back onto the ridge to see where they fell. I was 18 and they were Navy lads.
"A few weeks later, a lady died in Five Finger Gully on Ben Nevis, next to her fiancé who was alive. That was a night call out, and it left a big impression on me.
"Lockerbie was exceptional – there were 270 fatalities, the scale was just awful. It was also a crime scene, so unlike a hill fatality, we could not move anyone. Team members covered the dead with their own jackets. I was first on the scene and was asked to do a recce.
"As I returned, I was asked by our Control what we would need. Among other things, I told them we would need counselling. None of us were strangers to tragedy at this point – I had 15 years’ experience – but the situation was unprecedented. At the time, there was pushback from both the military and from within Mountain Rescue to that call for help. Admitting emotional distress was seen as a sign of weakness. But that incident had a huge effect on my family, as well as over half the team.
"Thankfully, awareness and acceptance of trauma and PTSD, and concern for mental health and wellbeing is far improved these days, and there are courses and therapy on offer. Teams are still close knit and have their own ways of managing these things, too – for many of us, it is our extended family.
"And after the Lockerbie experience, I insisted we stay the night to debrief together after a serious incident."
Rescue teams across the country have paid tribute to him, with Hebrides Mountain Rescue Team describing how he dealt with his cancer over the last year “showed he wasn’t just a king in the mountains, but an incredible man”.
The tribute stated: “Anyone who has been following his blog posts cannot help but think ‘how can one man have crammed all that service into one lifetime'.
“You will be greatly missed and never forgotten.”
Scottish Mountain Rescue (SMR) said it was "deeply saddened" by the news of his death.
It added: "Heavy dedicated his life to helping others in the mountains, giving countless years of service with unwavering commitment, skill, and compassion.
"He was a leader, a mentor, and a friend to so many in the mountain rescue community and beyond.
"His knowledge, experience, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who worked alongside him."
Several others called him a “hero” and a “legend”.
Founders of Walkhighlands Helen and Paul Webster also issued a tribute to Whalley, writing: “Saddened to hear the news that mountain rescue legend David ‘Heavy’ Whalley has passed away.
“Always greatly admired his positivity about new generations getting out in the outdoors.”
