Gregor McLennan, 74, was found earlier this week after an extensive search in Eryri national park, also known as Snowdonia, in Wales, during record-breaking UK heatwave temperatures
A university professor has tragically been discovered dead after disappearing during a mountain hike in the heatwave. Gregor McLennan, 74, was located earlier this week following an extensive search in Eryri national park, also known as Snowdonia, in Wales.
His body was found on Carnedd Y Filiast mountain. The scholar was last spotted on Thursday, (June 25) with police, mountain rescue teams and other agencies initiating a search the next day.
His vanishing occurred during record-breaking temperatures in the UK with 35.9C logged in Cardiff that same day, as reported by NeedToKnow. The professor’s family stated: “Greg died where he felt most alive and his final view was every bit as wonderful as the man himself.
“It’s deeply painful knowing that he was alone on the mountain while we searched. But early on Monday evening we finally found him and there is a measure of peace in that, not only for us but for his soul.
“Dad was a passionate and inspiring man whose warmth reached many people. Our friends and loved ones dropped everything, offering help in an awful time, something we’ll always be grateful for.”
North Wales Police confirmed the professor’s death is not being treated as suspicious and the force extended its “deepest condolences” to his family.
Gregor was an emeritus professor in the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies at University of Bristol.
Professor Judith Squires, deputy vice-chancellor and provost at the university, said she was “deeply saddened” to hear of his death.
She said: “His intellectual generosity, rigour, and commitment to public debate left a lasting impact on students, peers, and the wider discipline.
“A distinguished scholar and valued colleague, he made an outstanding contribution to sociological thought and to the academic community here at the University of Bristol and around the world.”
McLennan completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Bristol before relocating to Birmingham for his PhD.
He made his way back to Bristol in 1997 to take up the established chair in sociology and subsequently occupied numerous senior positions, including head of the department of sociology, head of the School for Sociology, Politics and International Studies, director of the university’s Institute of Advanced Studies and warden of Goldney Hall.
His relatives and police expressed gratitude to volunteers and members of the public who assisted during the search operation.