Much loved teacher Kieran Halliwell sent a photo of himself on top of a mountain to family before plunging to his death.
The 35-year-old died after climbing Mweelrea peak in County Mayo, Ireland, alone, an inquest heard.
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The popular teacher and semi-profession footballer was found unresponsive on the “steep section” of Mweelrea on August 18, 2021.
Senior coroner Timothy Brennand read a number of statements during the hearing, including one from Kieran’s dad Robert who described his son as his “best friend” and a “very experienced” climber.
Kieren perished after deciding to climb the mountain alone while on a family holiday in Ireland.
He stayed behind when everyone else went home so he could trek Mweelrea and meet up with friends from university afterwards.
Kieran’s pal Daniel Sammon, who was the last person to see him alive, told the inquest he warned the 35-year-old against climbing the “dangerous” incline alone.
Daniel also said Kieren was “in good form” as he left and didn’t make much of the clearly visible cloud covering the top half of the peak.
It comes as the inquest heard how Kieran sent his mum a haunting final image of himself at the top of a very cloudy Mweelrea before he died.
“We texted him back saying that it looked misty behind him,” Kieran’s dad Robert said.
“We didn’t receive a reply.”
After more time passed, his parents reported Kieran as missing to the Irish police, the Garda. They also travelled back to Ireland to look for him.
A huge search effort which included helicopters, drones, and dogs eventually found the beloved teacher’s body “at around tea time”, Robert said.
“We were shocked and devastated. We were ashen, we’d lost our son.
“We really don’t know what happened on the mountain or the distance he fell but can only assume he slipped.”
A post mortem found Kieran died as a result of a “lung haemorrhage” caused by his deadly fall. No medical conditions were implicated in his death, the inquest heard.
In a touching statement, Robert said his son “loved his work” as a teacher.
He said: “He was so well regarded that he was often invited to the homes of children he was caring for by their parents. They loved him and he reciprocated that affection.”
At the time of his death, Kieran was working as the head of English at New Park School in Eccles.
“I’m devastated. I’ve lost my best friend. We did everything together,” Robert said.
Coroner Brennand said young man’s death was the result of an “accident”.
He said: “I don’t want my conclusions to be misconstrued as me taking a critical view or that I believe this was an ill-judged attempt on a challenging mountain.
“He was fit, experienced and well equipped. Therefore, this is just one of the tragedies that can befall any mountaineer in any circumstances at any time.
“Kieran died pursuing one of his many pastimes. Kieran died living life to the full. That simply serves to emphasise the sense of loss in this case.
“I hope it’s of some comfort to the family and friends of the deceased.
“In his short life, Kieran gave to others the advantage of his wealth of experience, intelligence and inspiration.
“I am truly sorry for their loss and convey my condolences to them.”
Source: The Sun
