Son, 12, died of hypothermia after father, 49, fell from a peak whereas hillwalking within the Scottish Highlands, inquest hears

A 12-year-old boy froze to death just 100 metres from where his father’s body was found during a hiking trip to the Scottish Highlands, an inquest has heard. 

Thomas Parry, 49, from Alsager, Cheshire, plunged to his death while scaling the steep and rocky Bidian nam Bian peak with his son, Richard Parry, on May 28, 2024. 

Post mortem results show that while Richard survived the fall, he suffered a head injury and subsequently died of hypothermia a short distance away.  

The inquest was told the pair were only in possession of a basic map that showed a GPS route and the contour lines of the mountain, but had no other features. 

A mountain guide said Mr Parry had stopped him to ask for advice on how to ascend the peak on the day of their disappearance. 

He said that he had advised the father and son that the terrain was steep and that there was a line of cliffs in the area by the summit.  

The mountain guide added that the weather began to deteriorate around the time he saw the pair, with visibility stretching to only around 30 metres due to low cloud.

A witness report, which was read out at the inquest, said: ‘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 inquest was told Mr Parry contacted his wife, Gemma, at 7.35am on May 28 to let her know their plan before they headed home. 

They were expected to return to Alsager at around 9pm that evening, but failed to show up or make further contact.

Gemma filed a missing persons report at 9am on May 29. Police Scotland picked up the investigation at 12.55pm that day.

Officers then confirmed they had found Mr Parry’s car in the Three Sisters car park in Glencoe. 

Following a search of the mountain, Mr Parry and Richard’s bodies were found at around 7.25pm on May 29.

Procurator Fiscal, responsible for investigating suspicious deaths in Scotland, shared a report with the hearing held at Stoke Coroner’s Court.

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.’

The police 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 Mr Parry, 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 Mr Parry died as a result of head and chest trauma, while Richard passed as a result of exposure. 

He concluded that the deaths were accidental.