TADDINGTON: Family pays tribute to missing climber

Thomas Jagger, 22, of Taddington, has been missing in Huaraz, a mountainous city in the Ancash region of Peru, for over a week.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued a statement on behalf of Mr Jagger’s family and a close friend.

The statement, from Stuart, Helen, Frances and Iain Jagger and Mark, Julia and Luke Dyer, said: “This is a sad time for both families.

“Tom was a much-loved son, brother and friend and we wish to be given time to come to terms with what has happened.”

They added: “This difficult period is not being helped by speculative and untruthful reports appearing in the tabloid media.

“We would like to be left alone to grieve privately.”

Tributes have flooded in for Mr Jagger on the social networking site Facebook.

James Chesmer said: “An enthusiastic and energetic mountaineer. Missed and never forgotten.”

Helen Shipley added: “I know that we will always remember him and be inspired by his love of the mountains.”

A spokesman for the FCO said it was notified that Mr Jagger had gone missing on Saturday, July 27.

The spokesman added: “We are providing consular assistance to his family at this difficult time.”

Huaraz is renowned for its snow-capped peaks and glaciers.

A local official, Major Edgardo Colp, said that Mr Jagger disappeared while on a route that goes from Llanganuco ravine in the direction of Pisco mountain in the Cordillera Blanca range.

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