Climber dies on Greenland expedition

Dr Bransby's son Ben was with him on the expedition

The body of a British climber killed in an accident in Greenland has arrived back in Britain.

Dr Matthew Bransby, 54, from Cirencester, Gloucestershire, died while taking part in the North Face Thumbnail 2000 expedition to the east face of Agdlerussakasit on the southern tip of the island.

He did not just enjoy everything, he lived it

Family friend John Alcock

Dr Bransby, an experienced mountaineer, was climbing with a friend, Sandy Ogilvie, when he fell 300 metres to his death on August 4.

The pair had just completed the first ascent of an unnamed peak and were descending in misty conditions when the accident happened.

Father and son

Mr Ogilvie had abseiled off a rounded spike of rock safely, but just as Dr Bransby was about to reach his companion the rope slipped from the anchor.

He is believed to have died instantly.

Dr Bransby, director of Bransby Automation Ltd, and Mr Ogilvie had joined the expedition as base camp managers, but also hoped to climb some easier peaks.

Thumbnail is one of the world's biggest and most challenging sheer rock walls, and rises straight out of the sea.

The expedition members included Dr Bransby's 20-year-old son Ben, a former British junior indoor climbing champion and widely recognised as one of the country's best rock climbers.

Funeral

Dr Bransby's body was recovered from the foot of the face using the area's only helicopter, a Sikorski.

It arrived back in Britain on Monday.

Family friend and climbing companion John Alcock said: "Matthew was one of the most fun people I have ever climbed with.

"He did not just enjoy everything, he lived it."

Dr Bransby's funeral will be held at the Surrey and Sussex Crematorium in Crawley on Thursday August 24.