The son of former Chelsea midfielder Eddie Newton died in the United Arab Emirates, along with his friend, after they went for a hike in 40C temperatures, has inquest has heard.
Cassius Newton, 34, and Aran Martinson, 33, both died on 18 July.
The pair – from Poole in Dorset and Essex respectively – had both moved to Dubai to work.
Inquests into their deaths were opened separately in Chelmsford on Thursday.
Essex area coroner Michelle Brown said that Mr Newton “decided to go for a hike with a friend in the morning, about 7am” at Wadi Naqab, a desert valley.
open image in gallery“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 that temperatures would have reached in excess of 40C as the men walked.
“Mr Newton was found by a search team approximately three or four kilometres from the vehicle,” she said.
She said that 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”.
open image in galleryHe was taken to hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, where his death was confirmed later that day.
The 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.
Mr Newton’s father Eddie played for Cardiff City and Chelsea as a midfielder, before retiring in 2001 due to a knee injury.
He went on to be assistant manager and coach for Chelsea before moving to Trabzonspor, a club in Turkey, in 2020.
In a social media post, Chelsea wrote: “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.”
Opening the inquest into the death of Mr Martinson separately, Ms Brown said that 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 that he was taken to hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, where his death was confirmed later on 18 July.
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.