Thomas Parry, 49, and his son Richard, 12, from Alsager, lost their lives on the 1,150-metre peak Bidean nam Bian in Scotland on May 28, 2024, with a coroner ruling the deaths accidental
A father and son tragically died just 100 metres from one another following a devastating hiking accident.
Thomas Parry, 49, and his 12-year-old son Richard Parry died during a trip to Scotland. The pair, from Alsager, were attempting to climb the 1,150-metre summit of Bidian nam Bian – notorious for its challenging and rocky landscape – on May 28, 2024 when both fell to their deaths. Mountain rescue teams located their bodies the next day.
An inquest examining the circumstances of their deaths heard that Thomas had called his wife, Gemma Parry, at 7.35am on May 28 to inform her of their plans before they were scheduled to travel home. The duo were anticipated to arrive back in Alsager at about 9pm that evening, but never returned or made any further communication.
A concerned Gemma reported them missing at 9am on May 29. Police Scotland took over the case at 12.55pm that same day. The Procurator Fiscal, who investigates unexplained deaths in Scotland, submitted a report to the proceedings at Stoke Coroner’s Court.
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It stated: “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 media appeal was subsequently launched to help gather information on the whereabouts of the missing father and son. Police Scotland received a witness statement at 7.33pm on May 29, reports Stoke on Trent Live.
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 recalled that weather conditions had started to get worse around the time he encountered the pair, with low cloud and rain reducing visibility to just 30 metres. Tragically, rescue workers discovered the bodies of Thomas and Richard – known as Richie – shortly after receiving this information.
The report stated: “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 carried out a post-mortem examination at the Department of Cellular Pathology in Inverness.
Regarding Thomas, Dr Ingles explained: “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.”
On the subject of Richard, she continued: “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 agreed with the suggested medical causes of death, confirming that Thomas died due to head and chest injuries, whilst Richard’s death resulted from exposure. He ruled that both deaths were accidental.
