Dear Daniel: Wife honours ‘best friend’ Daniel Heritage, 28, who died in a tragic accident in the Alberta Rocky Mountains

The cause of Adelaide man Daniel Heritage’s death in Canada has been confirmed as his widow shared a heartbreaking letter and Scouts SA paid tribute to the “valued” adventure leader.

The wife of a man – who died after a tragic rock climbing accident in the Canadian Rockies – has thanked him for inviting her into his world of adventure.

It was meant to be the trip of a lifetime for Valley View man Daniel Heritage, but his Canadian rock climbing adventure took a tragic turn when he died doing what he loved.

His sister-in-law Jessica Bartel confirmed that Mr Heritage died while rock climbing in the Alberta Rocky Mountains, near Canmore, on October 5.

The tragic accident was witnessed by his wife Emma, who held Mr Heritage in her arms as he passed away.

In a love letter posted to Facebook, beginning with “Dear Daniel”, Ms Heritage paid tribute to her late husband.

“You were my best friend, love of my life and adventure buddy,” she wrote.

“Thank you for bringing so much joy into my life and helping me realise that I was more capable than I think. Thank you for inviting me into your world where anything was possible and each day was an opportunity for a new adventure.

“My heart longs for you and I’d do anything to be slow dancing to our wedding song, joking around together, exploring the world or sitting in silence reading books/movies together.”

The adventurous couple had taken time away from their careers to explore Canada and pursue their shared hobby of rock climbing in the country’s famous mountainous ranges.

“Whilst I am upset about no longer having the opportunity to grow old together, I feel privileged to have known you.

Daniel Heritage tragically died in Canada with his wife Emma by his side after a rock climbing accident. Picture: GoFundMe

“You were the best husband I could have ever asked for and whilst I don’t know what the future looks like for me at the moment, I do know that you had a great last few months,” she wrote.

“You were dearly loved by so many people who had just met you and those lucky enough to have known you for many years.

“I love you now and forever. Your wife, Emma.”

Mr Heritage was a valued member of the Scouts from a young age and was an adventure leader for the caving and climbing teams right up until he left for Canada.

Scouts SA chief commissioner Jan Turbill said everyone within the community grew up with him.

“He was absolutely universally loved,” she said.

“He was the absolute embodiment of the Scouts, he lived his life the way all Scouts want to live it. Full of ethics, full of resilience and full of adventure.”

She said it was tragic that he died doing what he loved.

“It’s such a terrible shame, there’s just no winners at all and I feel for the family,” she said.

“Rock climbing is dangerous, but so is crossing the road. He was full of adventure and loved what he did. It’s just so sad.”

She anticipated the funeral would be “massive”.

“When everyone comes together to celebrate his life, there will be a huge turnout from the Scouts. We will be there front and centre,” she said.

Before his death Mr Heritage, an engineer, shared his holiday plans with his followers on LinkedIn.

“Over the next 12-24 months, I will be taking time to pursue hobbies and passion projects that I haven’t previously had the opportunity,” he wrote.

“This includes rock climbing in the Canadian Rockies, becoming a more proficient skier, building on my photography skills, and by the end of this trip I aim to have lead-climbed a frozen waterfall.”

Daniel and Emma’s wedding photos included a rock climbing wall shot. Picture: Supplied by family

The couple married in the Kuitpo forest on August 11, 2018. Picture: Supplied by family

Each year the Canadian Rockies attracts millions of people from across the world who visit the sites to hike, camp, or engage in mountain sports.

Mr and Ms Heritage were just months into a two-year trip of a lifetime when the tragedy occurred.

Older sister Brianna Heritage paid tribute to not only her brother but best friend sharing memories of road trip singalongs board game losses and camp shenanigans.

“Even though you were younger you were always the one that looked out for me,” she said.

“You inspired me to be more than I was. When I was sad you would let me crawl into your bed. When I was down you would always know the right thing to say. You’re still the person I come to for advice.”

Daniel proposed to Emma in Norway in July 2017. Picture: Supplied by family

Younger sister Rebecca Heritage has remembered Mr Heritage as a man with the “kindest heart, most infectious smile and strongest morals” who was “living his best life in Canada”.

“You were the best big brother I could have ever asked for,” Ms Heritage said.

“Now who’s going to cyber stalk any new potential man in my life and give me their entire personal/professional background in the space of 5 minutes?”

Ms Heritage described her protective older brother as “wise beyond his years” and an ambitious entrepreneur.

“He had so many goals and he was the type of person that fulfilled his dreams and lived life to the fullest,” she said.

“He loved his wife Emma so much, I never saw him as happy as he was when he was with her.”

Ms Bartel told the Advertiser her brother-in-law was an extension of her and her twin’s strong bond.

Canmore is located in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, west of Calgary, and is known for summits like the Three Sisters and Ha Ling Peak. Picture: Supplied

She said the young couple shared a passion for outdoors and were always camping, fishing, skiing, kayaking and rock climbing.

“He felt like my brother way before they got married,” she said.

“Any long weekend you’d find them on an adventure.

“One thing I loved most about him was the way he cared for others. You always felt heard by him.”

She said her father was currently on his way to Canada, to support her sister.

Mrs Bartel, who has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to assist with funeral costs and other expenses, said her father was on his way to Canada to support her sister.

The fundraising effort was approaching $29,000 on Monday, nearly three times the original $10,000 goal.

Originally published as Dear Daniel: Wife honours ‘best friend’ Daniel Heritage, 28, who died in a tragic accident in the Alberta Rocky Mountains