A retired financial director from the Lake District died in hospital having sustained multiple injuries in a fall while hill walking in the Scottish Highlands.
An inquest into the death of 66-year-old Roy Frederick Wiles, who was married and lived in Windermere, was formally opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court.
Mr Wiles is reported to have died having been in the An Teallach mountain group in Wester Ross, an area of the Northern Highlands.
During a short inquest hearing, area county coroner Kirsty Gomersal outlined some brief circumstances surrounding Mr Wiles’ death.
“He sustained a fall while hill walking in Scotland and died on September 5 2023, at the Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth Road, Inverness,” noted Ms Gomersal. “The death was reported to the Scottish procurator fiscal.”
A cause of death for Mr Wiles was offered, said the coroner, as multiple injuries and a fall while hill walking. His death was registered in Scotland before his body was repatriated to England for his funeral, the inquest was told.
Born in Wandsworth, Surrey, Mr Wiles had lived in Windermere, was married and was a retired financial director. He had died just two days after his birthday.
“I am now going to exercise my discretion,” said Ms Gomersal, “to suspend the coronial investigation into Mr Wiles’ death in order that reports can be obtained from the relevant authorities in Scotland.”
A provisional date for a full inquest hearing has been listed for 5th March, 2024, although Ms Gomersal said it was unlikely that date would be effective due to that suspension.
A spokesman for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said after the inquest opening: “The Procurator Fiscal has received a report in connection with the death of a 66-year-old man on An Teallach, Wester Ross, on 5th September 2023.
“The (COPFS) investigation into the death is ongoing and the family will be kept updated in relation to any significant developments.”
