A former Manchester City doctor tragically fell to his death from the very same spot where he proposed to his wife 27 years earlier, an inquest has heard.
54-year-old Dr Jamie Butler – who was from Altrincham, and previously had worked at Manchester City, Sale Sharks Rugby Club, and Altius Healthcare throughout his career – popped the question on the famous Striding Edge side of the Lake District’s third highest peak, Helvellyn, all the way back in 1994.
But when he and his wife Margaret decided to relive the romantic moment all over again by returning their last November, this was when Jamie sadly died.
Cockermouth Coroner’s Court heard that the couple had been walking together up the mountain, but when they reached Striding Edge, Mrs Butler stopped to catch her breath and she told of watching her husband disappear into the mist as he went on to find the spot.
After he had been gone for a while, Mrs Butler shouted after him, but got no response and eventually became “concerned something had happened to him”, so she called police.
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Due to poor visibility during the misty weather, the court heard that the GP fell and was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene after suffering significant injuries, including a fractured skull.
Dr Jamie Butler fell to his death from the famous Striding Edge side of the Lake District’s third highest peak, Helvellyn / Credit: Geograph (Alan O’Dowd)
Mountain rescuers later found his body below the ridge, and the coroner concluded that his death was an accident.
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Mrs Butler paid tribute to her husband, who she said “was a loving husband with two twin boys that he adored.”
“He died doing what he loved [and] he will be forever missed,” she concluded.
Doug Jones – Head Physiotherapist at Altius Healthcare in Hale, who worked with Dr Butler at Sale Sharks when he was part of the physio team – paid tribute to him in a statement to the Daily Mail: “He was a really fantastic guy who didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone. He was very loved by the staff and players at both Sale and Man City… you just couldn’t not warm to him.”
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Dr Butler was also described as a “wonderful guy who will be very missed by his friends and family”.
Featured Image – Altius Healthcare
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
14th February 2022 
