'One of a kind' son, 19, died after falling from Welsh mountain while hiking with brothers

Tributes have been pouring in for a 'loving' teenager described as 'one of a kind', who tragically lost his life while hiking in Wales. Nineteen-year-old Phil Zhu fell from Tryfan, a mountain in Eryri. He was on a Bank Holiday Monday hike with his two younger brothers when the incident happened at the Y-Gully section of the 3,000ft peak.

Following the fall, his siblings made an emergency call and were subsequently helped to safety by Mountain Rescue teams, while Phil's body was later recovered. Phil, from Liverpool, is being fondly remembered as a "kind" and "smiley" individual, cherished for his role as a martial arts instructor within his local community.

From the age of 11, Phil began his martial arts journey at The Combat Unit gym in Seaforth, eventually becoming a teacher himself, instructing children and professional fighters alike, and attending events nationwide, reports the Liverpool Echo.

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Connor Dickinson, 28, owner of The Combat Unit, said: "I grew up with Phil. I have done martial arts for 20 years and started coaching it eight years ago when Phil was just 11. On the first day I stepped onto the mat as a coach he stepped on as a student. I have coached him since that day.

"I have watched him grow up from being a teenager to being a man, he worked his way through as a student and then became a coach himself. He has taken junior classes and adult classes as well, he was a massive part of the community and massive part of the gym. He is always cleaning the gym, he was at every competition, cornering fighters, he was always there in the corner."

Connor continued: "Phil was really one of a kind. He always had the greatest smile from ear to ear and could light up a room with it. He fully dedicated his life to martial arts and in recent years his passion was passing on his knowledge to the next generation in the most fun and loving way you could imagine.

"Phil was such a loving son and brother. Always going out of his way for his family and making sure to spend quality time with them as much as he could. He was greatly loved in the whole combat sports community and he was very well known for how much of a talented fighter he was, but more importantly known for being a really genuine, nice person. Phil will be missed by many, and forever hold a special place in everyone's hearts." For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter

In memory of Phil, the gym is hosting a fundraiser event to raise money for funeral costs and donations to Mountain Rescue. Connor added: "We are going to train for 24 hours non-stop on May 18. At 11am we will start training at our gym with high level coaches and fighters. We are fundraising money to go to the funeral, then anything left over will be going to Mountain Rescue who rescued his brothers and got them to safety, and recovered Phil's body." Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news