Award-winning travel photographer, 69, died on family safari holiday after breaking his spine, inquest hears

An award-winning travel photographer died after falling from a narrow footbridge as he cycled across during a safari in Swaziland, an inquest has been told.

Steve Walton, 69, suffered a cervical spine fracture in the fall and was certified dead in the Ezulwini Hospital in Swaziland, Southern Africa, on October 24. 

Mr Walton's wife Janel, who was riding ahead of him, had successfully crossed the bridge when she heard a thud behind her and realised he had fallen into the river below.

The father-of-three, who was a three-time winner of the MPA/BIPP International Awards UK Landscape and Travel Photographer of the Year, was carrying cameras and binoculars on him during the ride and may have been trying to adjust them when he suffered his tragic fall.

Area Gloucestershire Coroner Roland Wooderson recorded an accidental death conclusion.

The Leicester-born photographer and grandfather-of-four had lived in Gloucester before moving in 2021 to the island of Scalpay in the Outer Hebrides. 

He was proprietor of Wild Light Photography Tours and Workshops, regularly taking small groups of people on photographic trips to interesting destinations, and director, Fellow and former President of the Master Photographers Association.

He was also the 2015-16 President of the Master Photographers Association and a Fellow of the British Institute of Professional Photography and of the Royal Society of Arts.

In a statement to the Gloucester inquest Mr Walton's wife - who did not attend the hearing - said they were on the third day of their trip to Swaziland - which is now called Eswatini - when the tragedy happened.

'We set out in a group of six riders and two guides using mountain bikes in good condition,' she stated.

'The plan was to view game in the reserve. Steve was a professional photographer and had cameras, a bag and his binoculars. It was the first time he had cycled in this manner.

'I think he wanted quick access to his binoculars and cameras and that is why he chose to wear them in that fashion.

'We had cycled for 30-40 minutes. It was easy cycling, not beyond the ability of anyone in the group.

'We went onto a small footbridge. The two weakest members of the group went over and then so did I. Then Steve went over. He was a competent cyclist, far more confident than me.'

She stated that she was over the bridge and part of the way up a small incline on the other side when she heard a thud. One of the guides said someone had fallen off. She then stopped and turned and realised it was her husband who had fallen.

The coroner said: 'She ran down to him and jumped into the river. He was heard by a guide to say "I can't breathe".'

Resuscitation was then attempted and an ambulance was called before a doctor finally decided to stop attempts at resuscitation and Mr Walton was declared dead.

Despite her husband being 69, Mrs Walton said that he was 'extremely fit and active'.

She also did not believe her husband tried to protect his face or head as he fell. 

'I suspect his camera bag had moved during the technical section of the ride and he was trying to adjust it as he went over the bridge,' Mrs Walton said. 'He therefore took the full force of the impact on his neck.'

The coroner added: 'It is quite clear to me that this was a tragic accident. He was a very fit gentleman and a perfectly competent cyclist.'

Mr Walton's funeral will be held tomorrow at Gloucester Crematorium. His three children, two sons and a daughter, all live in Leicestershire where Mr Walton also lived for most of his life before the move to Gloucester and then to the Hebrides.