Glencoe climbing tragedy as dad and 12-year-old son die 100 metres aside
Thomas Parry, 49, and his 12-year-old son Richard died on Bidean nam Bian mountain in Scotland after both falling during their climb – the pair were discovered just metres apart
Thomas Parry, left, and Richard Parry, right, died after going on a hike in 2024(Image: Police Scotland)
A father and son perished 100 metres apart from each other after both plunging to their deaths in a hiking disaster. Thomas Parry, 49, and his 12-year-old son Richard Parry lost their lives during a trip to Scotland.
The pair, from Alsager, were climbing the 1,150-metre summit Bidian nam Bian – renowned for its treacherous and rocky landscape – on May 28, 2024 when they both fell to their deaths. Mountain rescue teams found their bodies the next day.
An inquest into their deaths heard Thomas had rung his wife, Gemma Parry, at 7.35am on May 28 to inform her of their plans before they were due to head home. They were expected to return to Alsager at around 9pm that evening, but failed to arrive or make any further contact.
A concerned Gemma reported them missing at 9am on May 29. Police Scotland took over the investigation at 12.55pm later that day.
The Procurator Fiscal, responsible for investigating suspicious deaths in Scotland, provided a report to the hearing held at Stoke Coroner’s Court, reports Stoke on Trent Live.
It read: “At about 12.50pm on May 29, police tracked the deceased’s vehicle to the Three Sisters’ car park. This is known as the starting point for the Bidian nam Bian climb. At 3pm, officers forced entry to the vehicle, where they discovered a mobile telephone, a bag for life, clothing, shoes, a picnic set, a Mountain Warehouse rucksack, a radar key, two sleeping bags and two toothbrushes – one of which clearly belonged to a child.
“At 3.37pm, the Glencoe Mountain Rescue team were notified and deployed to carry out an area search. They were supported by a Coast Guard rescue helicopter, and various teams from the Lake District who happened to be in the area training. Forty-four people were deployed in total.”
A public appeal was subsequently launched seeking information about the whereabouts of the missing father and son duo.
Police Scotland received a witness statement at 7.33pm on May 29.
The report went on: “On the day of their disappearance, the witness had been working as a mountain guide. He had been taking nine people around the area. As they descended the mountain, he spotted two males, who he thought looked around 50 and 10 years old.
“The deceased asked the witness for advice on how best to ascend the mountain. The deceased had an all-terrain map, which showed a GPS route, but was basic and only showed the contour lines of the mountain with no other features. The witness showed the deceased his map, which was more detailed, and explained that the ground was steep. He pointed out that there was a line of cliffs around the area surrounding the summit.”
The witness reported that conditions had started worsening when he encountered the pair, with low cloud and rainfall reducing visibility to just 30 metres.
Tragically, search teams found the bodies of Thomas and Richard – known as Richie – shortly after this information came to light. The report concluded: “At 7.25pm, the rescue volunteers found remains matching the deceased. It was observed he had significant injuries consistent with a fall from height. Life was declared extinct. Further up the slope was a rucksack, which contained his driving licence. The deceased’s son was found about 100 metres away, also deceased.”
Dr Natasha Ingles conducted a post-mortem examination at the Department of Cellular Pathology in Inverness.
Speaking of Thomas, Dr Ingles said: “I am of the opinion that this man has died as a result of head and chest injuries from the presumed fall whilst walking. He was not under the influence of drugs of alcohol. Whilst this could have been simply an accidental fall, a medical event cannot be entirely excluded. He was known to have suffered from leg pain, which could have led to a fall.”
Discussing Richard, she added: “This boy died as a result of exposure to cold temperatures following a presumed, unwitnessed fall whilst walking with his father. There was evidence of a head injury, lower limb injuries and a superficial skin injury which was consistent with a fall.
“The bruising to the scalp indicates at least two blows to the head, which may have led to a loss of consciousness and the subsequent development of hypothermia. It should be noted a person can die of hypothermia in less than an hour. The risk would have been increased due to his young age and slim build.”
Senior Coroner Andrew Barkley accepted the proposed medical causes of death, stating that Thomas died as a result of head and chest trauma, while Richard passed as a result of exposure. He concluded that the deaths were accidental.
