**Tragedy on Welsh Peaks: Celebrated Hiker Dies in Fall as Friends Watch Helplessly**
A highly accomplished and much-admired young woman, Maria Eftimova, lost her life during a hiking expedition in the Eryri (Snowdonia) mountain range, after a catastrophic fall from the rugged Tryfan peak. The tragic incident unfolded on 22 February 2025, and the devastating scene was witnessed by several of her friends, casting a long shadow of grief over all who knew her.
Maria Eftimova, a 28-year-old civil engineer known for her intelligence and adventurous spirit, slipped and plummeted nearly 65 feet down the steep side of Tryfan. The inquest into her death, held at Caernarfon, heard heart-wrenching testimony from her companions, who watched in horror as events spiralled fatally out of control. Despite immediate efforts to rescue and resuscitate her, Maria succumbed to severe head injuries.
Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and later making her home in St Helens, Maria became a British citizen and built a promising career after graduating from the University of Salford. On the day of the incident, she had joined a group of 20 hikers for a challenging winter ascent of Tryfan, a peak revered—and feared—by mountain enthusiasts for its unforgiving terrain.
During the climb, Maria and several others, including friend Harry Jones, decided to break away from the main group to tackle a more demanding route to the summit. Mr Jones recalled that the climbers proceeded in single file, each carefully waiting for the person ahead to move before progressing from ledge to ledge. Neil Oakes led the way, followed by Maria, with Mr Jones close behind.
Mr Jones told the inquest, “She paused on a ledge to try for a better handhold and swung her leg up to climb. I checked to see if she was secure, and she replied, ‘I think so.’ Moments later, she slipped and passed above me—I was paralysed by shock.” The vivid account captures the sudden and terrifying nature of the accident, which unfolded in full view of her companions.
Neil Oakes, who was just ahead of Maria, described seeing her in “freefall” before striking a rocky outcrop below. The realisation of the severity of her injuries was immediate, with Mr Oakes recalling the overwhelming sense of shock and disbelief that gripped the group.
Following the fall, Maria’s friends quickly scrambled down to her, managing to move her to a less exposed spot. They immediately called emergency services and attempted CPR until the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team arrived, soon joined by a rescue helicopter. Despite their efforts, the outcome was tragically inevitable.
A post-mortem examination was conducted at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd by Consultant Histopathologist Dr Muhammad Zain Mehdi. The report confirmed that the cause of death was a catastrophic head injury, consistent with a fall from height.
Senior Coroner Kate Robertson concluded that Maria’s death was accidental, extending deep condolences to her family—who attended the inquest virtually with the help of a Bulgarian interpreter—and her many friends. The coroner described Maria as “bright and conscientious”, reflecting the sentiments of all who knew her.
Maria’s father, Rosen Eftimov, shared with the inquest memories of his daughter’s wide-ranging talents and passions. As a dedicated engineer, she also excelled in a host of extreme sports, including snowboarding, marathon running, glacier climbing, intensive swimming, and even pole dancing. Her zest for adventure and learning was matched by her determination and warmth with everyone she met.
After her death, tributes poured in from across the continent. A fundraising campaign launched to repatriate Maria’s body to Bulgaria exceeded its target, a testament to the impact she had on so many lives. Friends and colleagues remembered her as an “ambitious, bright and cherished” individual with an infectious thirst for life and discovery.
Maria Eftimova’s passing is a stark reminder of the risks involved in mountain pursuits, even for those most capable and careful. Her legacy, however, lives on in the memories of those inspired by her enthusiasm, intellect, and generosity of spirit.