American Michael Reardon (36), one of the leading free solo climbers in the world, was standing on a ledge west of Valentia coast guard station when he was hit by a wave and then slipped. Free solo climbers choose not to use equipment to scale great heights.

Reardon had just completed a short climb when the accident took place. He was due to return home to the US yesterday after spending a month here. His wife Keri and their 13-year-old daughter were expected to arrive in Ireland this morning.