A ROCK climber from Nailsworth died after falling 130ft, an inquest heard.

Robert Barr, 51, died while attempting to climb Penya Roc near Alicante in Spain on January 11.

Mr Barr, of Ladder Hill, was on a week-long holiday with his friend and climbing partner Robert Andrews when the accident happened.

Gloucestershire Coroner's Court heard yesterday that Mr Barr was around 130ft up when a boulder he was holding came loose.

In a statement to the inquest, Mr Andrews said he and Mr Barr had been climbing partners for many years and had gone for a week's climbing in Spain.

They set off on January 11 to climb Penya Rock, north of Alicante.

"It is accessed via a rocky track and it is a four pitch climb. The accident occurred on the second pitch," Mr Andrews' statement read. "I was about 40ft up and Robert was above me when a boulder falls, with Robert attached."

Mr Andrews said he took avoiding action to stop the boulder hitting him and then heard a shout. He saw his friend plunging approximately 130ft, hitting the rock face on the way down.

Mr Andrews said he tried to assist his friend and called the emergency services but there was a slight delay due to lack of mobile signal.

Mr Barr was retrieved by mountain rescue and was pronounced dead at Marina Baixa Hospital.

Spanish medical authorities gave the cause of death as multiple injuries.

Senior Gloucestershire Coroner Katie Skerrett said she agreed with the medical cause of death, which was entirely consistent with the witness statement from Mr Andrews.

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, she said "This was a tragic accident which occurred to a gentleman doing what he loved doing."

Addressing Mr Barr’s wife, Sonia, Ms Skerrett said: “I apologise for making you relive the death, I know how hard it must be for you."