Inquest rules climber died by misadventure

A JURY at an inquest into the death of famous rock climber Michael Reardon heard the 42-year-old Californian died after being swept out to sea by a rogue wave at Valentia, Co Kerry, on July 13.

He was a “free” climber who scaled sheer cliffs without ropes or other aids.

The inquest, in Caherciveen, heard how he had been climbing with photographer Damien Corso, near the Coastguard station at Valentia.

Mr Reardon had climbed a section of rock three times without a rope and was standing on a flat piece of rock which was slippery and covered in seaweed.

Mr Corso said a big wave knocked his friend off his feet and swept him into the sea. Mr Corso tried to use a rope and harness to rescue his friend, but he had been dragged too far out to sea.

The pair had been in Ireland on a photo-shoot for international magazines and had climbed in different parts of the country, including the Gap of Dunloe, Killarney.

At the start of the hearing, the coroner asked the jury to take into consideration what Mr Reardon had been doing when he died.

After the jury had listened to the evidence, the coroner recommended a verdict of death by misadventure, rather than accidental death.

“The sport he was involved in was dangerous due to the footing on the rocks and the heavy seas at the time,” the coroner remarked.

Mr Casey also said the case was peculiar in that Mr Reardon’s body had never been found, despite an intensive search involving helicopters, divers, gardaí and local people.

However, the 1962 Coroner’s Act allowed him to conduct such an inquest following a direction from the Minister for Justice, which he had received.

Mr Casey said the jury would be recalled to hear the case again if the remains of the deceased were ever found. He also urged people to be watchful on the seashore as the remains could still be found.

The jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure.

Some days after Mr Reardon’s disappearance, a plaque was unveiled on the cliff where he died and a memorial service was attended by his wife, Marci, and daughter, Nikki, 13.