Tributes have been paid to two young hikers found dead in the Eryri mountain range (Snowdonia).
Jayden Long, 19, and Eddie Hill, 20, from Norfolk, were found dead on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) on Thursday after concerns over their welfare were raised with the police on Wednesday, prompting an extensive search in winter conditions.
Their families and friends paid tribute to the pair on social media, describing them as “best friends” who died “doing something [they] loved”.
“I cannot put into words how hard this is for me and everyone who knew Jayden,” his younger sister, Jodie Long, wrote in a social media post about her “amazing, kind and caring big brother”.
“He was doing something he loved and was taken from us too soon and he will be forever missed. Words cannot describe how loved he was by everyone and how much he loved us all too.”
Jayden’s aunt, Stephanie Jolly, shared several pictures with her nephew and said, addressing him: “You were just figuring out life, following your dreams and doing something you loved with someone you loved. It isn’t fair. Jayden you were a wonderful and caring big brother, son, cousin, nephew and grandson.”
She added: “I feel so lucky to have had lots of wonderful memories with you. You stood by me on my wedding day and I’m heartbroken that we won’t ever get to stand by you when it was your turn.”
Harry Hill shared a tribute about his sibling Eddie, writing how his “big beautiful” and beloved older brother passed away on Wednesday.
“Words can not describe the pain that [I], my family and friends are going through at the moment. This is a lot to take in,” Harry said.
“He was [taken] from us far too soon and he had such big plans for his future. He is the most beautiful boy inside and out and he will be missed dearly.”
Many of Jayden and Eddie’s friends also voiced their devastation over their deaths on social media, with one close friend writing they “were both the most amazing and beautiful people in my life”.
“You were and always will be my best friends and I feel privileged to have spent so much of my life with you two. I would do anything to hold you both again and it pains me that we wont grow old together like we always said we would,” their friend Ben said.
Another friend added: “To think that at 19 I have to write about losing two uniquely brilliant but immensely similar people so early into our lives still doesn’t feel real.”
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North Wales Police said in a statement on Saturday: “Tragically, the bodies of the two men were located and recovered as part of these co-ordinated search efforts.
“Both have now been formally identified, and their families have been informed.”
