HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a devoted father who plunged to his death from a Lake District mountain.

Phil Ashton, 43, a well known roofer and amateur footballer from Ashbury Drive in Haydock, fell 150 metres while walking down Swirral Edge, Helvellyn.

Two of his younger brothers and friends courageously put their own lives at risk by scrambling down the mountain side to try and save him.

They performed life support until mountain rescue teams arrived and he was then winched onto an RAF helicopter and airlifted to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

However, Phil’s head injuries were so severe that he died in hospital. It was the second death after a fall from Swirral Edge inside a week.

The tragedy, which happened in misty conditions a week ago (Thursday, December 30), has led to many tributes from Phil’s family and countless friends.

He was a veteran centre half on the local amateur football circuit, captaining Sidac FC reserves, and was a partner in respected building and roofing firm Carter Ashton.

He was married to Caroline, his partner of 16 years, and was father to five-year-old Thomas.

Speaking to the Star, heartbroken Caroline, 36, described how she spoke to her husband on the phone just an hour before the fatal fall.

The eight-strong group of walkers had already scaled the peak and had navigated the trickiest areas of the mountain before the tragedy unfolded.

Caroline said: “At about 1pm I had chatted to him on the phone.

“They were on their way down and got past the most difficult parts of the mountain and appeared to be on safe ground.

“(But) Later Karl (38), one of Phil’s three brothers, (who was at home in St Helens) got a phone call explaining what had happened. He had to break the news to us."

She added: “Phil was my soul mate and I don’t know what I will do without him.

“He was a brilliant dad…and doted on Thomas, who always said his daddy was his best friend.

“Life was a lot fuller with him in it. He was so much fun, like a big kid sometimes and a real practical joker.

“He loved his football, playing for Sidac and supporting Everton FC passionately.

“We’ve had so many cards from people who he had done jobs for. He just had so many friends and was a hero to his brothers.

“My parents idolised him as did his own mum and dad. All the family are devastated.”

Caroline and Thomas had been in the Lakes with Phil on a Christmas break in the days before the tragedy.

But she returned home along with their son while Phil remained to enjoy what had become an annual walk up a mountain with family and friends.

Phil was an experienced hill walker, who had previously scaled Helvellyn and completed the Three Peaks Challenge for charity.

The family believe he may have slipped and banged his head before plunging down the peak.

Caroline, a St Helens Council training officer, hailed the courage of his brothers, Ste (34) and St Helens-based firefighter Mark Ashton (37), and business partner Dave Carter – for trying to save his life.

And she praised friends David Lloyd, Billy Leach and Dave Dalton who directed mountain rescue teams to the scene and caring for Phil’s 15-year-old nephew Liam.

She added: “Somehow they scrambled down to him. They were going to get to him whatever it took.

“They were brave lads and the hospital say they gave first class care.

“Phil would have been very proud of his brothers.”

Phil’s devastated parents Edie, 61, and Derek, 65, who live in Prescot, learned of their son’s death while on holiday in Tenby, Wales. He also leaves sister, Jane, 30.

Phil’s funeral will take place at St Mark’s Church Haydock, on Friday, January 14, at 2.30pm followed by a service at St Helens Crematorium at 3.30pm.

Mourners are invited to wear blue to mark Phil’s passion for Everton FC.