Two British friends, including the son of a former Premier League star, who were working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were found dead after going on a hike in extreme heat. Cassius Newton, 34, son of Eddie Newton, who played for Chelsea in the 1990s, and 33-year-old Aran Martinson, from Essex, both died on July 18 this year.
Inquests opened in Chelmsford
Both were living in Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, at the time, having moved there to work, their inquests heard as they were opened separately in Chelmsford on Thursday. In a tribute posted on X today, Chelsea said: "Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of former Academy player Cassius Newton, son of our former player and coach Eddie. Our thoughts are with Cassius’ family and friends during this incredibly difficult time."
Coroner's findings
Essex area coroner Michelle Brown said that Mr Newton, of Poole in Dorset, "decided to go for a hike with a friend in the morning, about 7am" at Wadi Naqab, a desert valley. They went out on a hot day in a "wholly mountainous region" of the country, the inquest heard. "His wife expressed concerns as she hadn’t heard from him, she being in the UK, and reported him missing," the coroner said. "It appears they had gone on a route that’s a recreational route, not needing hiking equipment."
The court heard temperatures would have reached in excess of 40C. "Mr Newton was found by a search team approximately three or four kilometres from the vehicle," she said. She said the area was a "wholly mountainous region" and Mr Newton was "found lying on his back with rocks surrounding him". She said he was "350 metres away from his friend".
Cause of death recorded
He was taken to hospital in Ras Al Khaimah where his death was confirmed later that day. His provisional medical cause of death for both men was recorded as cardiac and respiratory arrest due to severe rising body temperature and heat stress due to exposure to high temperature.
Opening the inquest into the death of Mr Martinson separately, Ms Brown said he was "working for a global company and staying in the UAE". She said he went for a hike at about 7am on July 18 and was found by a search team who were deployed "when his friend was reported missing". "He was found lying on the left side of the road with rocks surrounding him," the coroner said.
She said he was taken to hospital in Ras Al Khaimah where his death was confirmed later on July 18. Ms Brown adjourned both inquests until a date to be fixed, and said it is likely both will proceed as documentary hearings, with evidence entirely from written materials.
