Eddie Newton’s Son Dies After Desert Hike in UAE Heat

(Cassius Newton. Photo by BBC news)

Cassius Newton, the 34-year-old son of former Chelsea midfielder Eddie Newton, has died after going on a desert hike in the United Arab Emirates against his wife's wishes, an inquest has heard. 

Newton was found dead in the mountainous Wadi Naqab region on July 18, hours after he last spoke to his wife.

His friend, Aran Martinson, also died.

The two set out on the hike around 7am local time.

Essex Coroner's Court heard that Newton called his wife around 2am to tell her about the plan, but she urged him not to go because of the extreme heat.

Area coroner Michelle Brown said temperatures there can reach about 40C and feel even hotter in the canyons.

She also noted that Newton had been out the night before and may not have had enough sleep or a properly charged phone.

The wives of both men contacted authorities when they did not hear from them for several hours, and a rescue effort was launched.

The bodies were found 3km to 4km from where the men parked their vehicle, about 350 metres apart.

Both were lying on their backs surrounded by large rocks.

They were taken to a hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, where they were pronounced dead.

Texts between Martinson and his wife were read in court. At 9:26am she wrote, "You must be cooking."

After hours without a reply, she wrote that he was trying to tip her over the edge.

Brown ruled the deaths were misadventure, calling it an intentional trip with unintended consequences.

She said the route was a recreational hike needing no special equipment that normally takes about four hours.

She concluded both men died from severe rises in body temperature that led to organ failure.

Newton, originally from Poole, had recently moved to Ras Al Khaimah to live with his wife. Martinson had also recently moved to the UAE.

Eddie Newton, who played for Chelsea and later had two spells as the club's assistant manager, travelled to the UAE to identify his son's body.

Chelsea said it was devastated by the news. Martinson's wife paid tribute online, describing him as incredibly driven, hardworking and ambitious.