A SOLDIER based at RAF Brize Norton fell almost 500ft to his death after he ran into low cloud and became disorientated during a punishing mountain race.

Sgt Paul Upton, of the 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment, was taking part in the Welsh 1,000 Metres Peaks Race when he fell to his death on Carnedd Llewelyn above the Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir, in Snowdonia.

The divorced father-of-two was from Middlewich, in Cheshire.

Rescuers said it was believed the 37-year-old suffered a heart attack after falling hundreds of feet.

An RAF rescue helicopter was called to the scene and Sgt Upton was given emergency treatment at the scene. He was airlifted to hospital in Bangor but was dead on arrival.

The tough race, part of a series of mountain runs, attracts competitors from the Army and running clubs across the country.

Organisers said there was an unpredicted change in the weather and low cloud covered the mountain without warning.