THE heartbroken parents of a boy who fell to his death while on the trip of a lifetime have been handed an out-of-court settlement after a two year struggle.

Andrew Lucas died days after his 17th birthday in 2009 when he fell 1,000ft down a cliff during an expedition through the Picos de Europa mountains, in Spain, organised by the Ambleside-based Brathay Exploration Trust.

Despite staking a legal claim for the statutory bereavement award of £11,800 in May 2012, his parents Aileen and Howard Lucas offered the organisation an opportunity to settle for £8,000 in a bid to reduce legal action.

The couple say it has taken the trust more than two years to accept the offer, finally confirming the settlement two days before Andrew’s birthday. They claim that they have had no explanation for the delay.

Speaking of her battle for justice, Mrs Lucas, 56, said: “The intervening period has not only resulted in us incurring significant legal costs but it has also amplified the pain and anguish caused to us by Andy’s death.

“We put our trust in Brathay but we realise it was misplaced and we wanted them to accept the responsibility.”

At an inquest in 2010, coroner Stuart Fisher recorded a verdict of accidental death and expressed concern over aspects of the expedition’s organisation and management.

Mr Fisher said the teenager’s fall from the cliff after he wandered off on his own during an overnight camp could have been avoided.

The hearing was also told the expedition was using a small scale map and a 2003 Lonely Planet guide and leaders had no knowledge of the area.

Malcolm Tillyer QPM, chairman of Brathay Exploration Trust, said: “Andrew's death was a tragic accident and the horror of what happened will stay with those involved for the rest of their lives.

“While there will always be learning from such a tragedy, we have agonised over what happened and genuinely believe that any procedural changes would not have saved Andrew.

“Andrew’s case was handled by our insurers and it was their decision to settle without admis-sion of liability.”

An investigation into the organisation was launched by the Charity Commission in 2010 following a complaint, but a Freedom of Information Request from Mr and Mrs Lucas, of Louth, Lincolnshire, revealed the trust did not disclose any ‘serious incidents’ in its annual return for 2009/2010.

Mrs Lucas said: “We feel it is important that young people and their parents are made aware of our experience and that they satisfy them-selves as to Brathay’s competency and current safety policy before they give their consent to their son or daughter taking part in an expedition or activity organised by Brathay.”

Mr Tillyer added: “The tragedy was properly reported at the time and a meeting took place between Brathay Exploration Trust and the Charity Commission as part of a review.

“Any subsequent reports, submitted to the Charity Commission, would have highlighted any incidents that had not been previously reported.

“At Brathay Exploration Trust we regularly review our systems and processes to ensure that our expeditions meet or exceed the stringent safety standards.”