Ben Nevis climber returns to York after making amazing recovery (From York Press)

Climber Nick Harper returns to York after making amazing recovery from Ben Nevis fall

10:04am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Ryedale news By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

THE wife of a climber who fell 200 feet down Britain’s highest mountain has spoken for the first time of how her husband has made a “miracle” recovery and has now returned to York.

Nick Harper, 57, of Sheriff Hutton, was rescued by helicopter after falling the equivalent of the height of York Minster on to snow and rocks while climbing near the summit of Ben Nevis.

But on Saturday, less than four weeks after the fall, he was transferred from Glasgow to York Hospital, where he is said to be in “good spirits” and appreciating “his luck”.

Mr Harper, the chairman of Harpers Waste Management Ltd, in Sutton-on-the-Forest, has been treated for a catalogue of injuries including 14 broken ribs, arm injuries, a fractured pelvis and a skull fracture, but is expected to make a full recovery.

His wife, Judi, said: “He has just defied all medical logic.

“I think he will have a bit more bed rest and then rehabilitation. He was fortunate in the circumstances in that there was the right medical help very, very quickly.

“The RAF pilot was excellent and got through in very difficult weather conditions because the first helicopter had to turn back.

“At the Belford Hospital in Fort William he had two excellent doctors. When he got to Glasgow he had excellent care there.

“He is in good spirits and feeling a lot more comfortable and feeling his luck really.

“I think all the family – we have got children and grandchildren – are all just delighted. It has just been a miracle.”

A search party from Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team mounted a risky operation to lower Mr Harper on a stretcher to a waiting RAF search and rescue helicopter following the accident on January 14.

He was transferred to hospital in Fort William before he was taken to the Western Infirmary in Glasgow.

The rescue team leader at the time told of how Mr Harper looked to be in a very worrying condition with a “very nasty head injury”.

Mrs Harper said they might never know what caused the accident. “The only way we will get more clarity about what happened is if he remembers or if his climbing partner gives more information.”

Mr Harper is now being visited by his friends and family including his two daughters Nina, 32, and Claire, 34.

Experts have suggested that Mr Harper, a very experienced climber, has made such a remarkable recovery due to his good health and fitness.

Mrs Harper said : “All his climbing friends have really rallied around. I have been amazed at the support.”