{
  "id": 18931,
  "title": "Mountaineer who began fossil hunting after near-death experience discovers rare 'sea dragon'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/30/mountaineer-who-began-fossil-hunting-after-near-death-experience",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-07-30T09:17:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Science",
    "slug": "bbc-science",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czjlk9rym18o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Matthew Myerscough, a civil engineer and mountaineer, discovered a rare marine reptile jawbone during his post-avalanche recovery. After being buried in an avalanche on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in 2014, Myerscough suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and turned to fossil hunting on Lavernock Point beaches in Wales. His efforts led to the discovery of a 200-million-year-old plesiosaur jawbone, a previously unknown species in Wales. He collaborated with experts, who confirmed it was a rhomaleosaurus, or sea dragon. The find is currently being researched at the National Museum Cardiff, and Myerscough hopes it will result in an academic paper. Fossil hunting, Myerscough believes, offers a therapeutic escape from stress, similar to mindfulness practices like yoga or watching films. He emphasizes the importance of patience and observation when searching for fossils, often relying on a hand lens and good hiking gear. Myerscough has authored a book, \"In Search of Sea Dragons: A Fossil Hunter's Odyssey,\" detailing his experiences in the pursuit of rare discoveries.",
  "summary": "Matthew Myerscough swapped mountains for fossil-laden beaches after becoming trapped in snow on Yr Wyddfa.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}