Tributes paid to RAF Mountain Rescue veteran who was part of Lockerbie disaster effort
Tributes have been paid to a veteran of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service who was one of the first on the scene of the Lockerbie Disaster.
David "Heavy" Whalley – who served almost four decades in the service – died aged 72 after being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.
He was a senior team leader at Lockerbie in the aftermath of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in December 1988.
Mr Whalley was also part of the search effort after the RAF Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994 that claimed the lives of four crew and 25 passengers.
His career saw him take part in more than 1,000 mountain and over 80 aircraft incidents in mountainous areas.
He was team leader of RAF Leuchars in Fife, RAF Kinloss in Moray and deputy team leader at RAF Valley in North Wales during his career.
Tributes on social media have described him as a "true legend of mountain rescue" and a "man with a heart of gold".
Scottish Mountain Rescue said: "Scottish Mountain Rescue is deeply saddened by the passing of David 'Heavy' Whalley, a true legend of Mountain Rescue and an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him.
"Heavy dedicated his life to helping others in the mountains, giving countless years of service with unwavering commitment, skill, and compassion.
"He was a leader, a mentor, and a friend to so many in the Mountain Rescue community and beyond. His knowledge, experience, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who worked alongside him.
"His legacy will live on in the Scottish outdoors through every team member he guided, every life he touched, and every summit where his spirit roams free.
"Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.
"Rest in peace, Heavy. You will be sorely missed, but never forgotten."
Mountain Rescue England and Wales added: "He will be sorely missed by the whole Mountain Rescue community, and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time.
"RIP Heavy."
Hebrides Mountain Rescue Team expressed its sadness on Mr Whalley's death passing – posting: "It was our privilege and honour to have David accompanied by Yvette over to officially open our new team base, which he did magnificently with the heated rope cutter.
"He then shared more of his remarkable career to a packed base.
"A few weeks later he was enjoying HebCelt and it was wonderful to see him there also.
"After the opening, it was clear that Heavy was not well and his courage in dealing with this final illness over the last year or so and the support from his family & friends showed he wasn’t just a king in the mountains, but an incredible man.
"Anyone who has been following his blog posts cannot help but think 'how can one man have crammed all that service into one lifetime?'
"RIP Sir.
"You will be greatly missed and never forgotten."
Cairngorm Mountain Rescue posted on X: "CMRT are sad to hear about the passing of Dave 'Heavy' Whalley.
"He was a great help to us for many years and true lover of the mountains.
"He was respected far and wide and his death leaves a huge hole in Scotland's mountain community."
Mountaineer and author Cameron McNeish said: "So sad this morning to hear of the death of my old friend and mountain rescue legend, Heavy Whalley.
"Heavy has been ill for some time and this was expected but it still comes as a shock.
"As I've written elsewhere Heavy was probably the most-liked and popular person I have ever met, a man with time for everyone and a man with a heart of gold.
"I believe there will be a memorial service in due course but for the moment my condolences to his friends and family."
Mountaineer Andy Lawson added: "So sorry to hear David 'Heavy' Whalley has passed away, a true mountain rescue legend.
"I will always treasure the memories of hiking together.
"RIP my friend."
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