A coroner has ruled that the son of former Chelsea footballer Eddie Newton died in the United Arab Emirates after going hiking in a desert valley despite his wife urging him not to go in the extreme heat.
Cassius Newton, 34, was found by rescuers in the “wholly mountainous region” of Wadi Naqab on July 18. His friend, 33-year-old Aran Martinson from Essex, was also discovered dead.
Area coroner Michelle Brown concluded that both men died by misfortune during what had been an intentional recreational trip.
Newton, who played non-league football, was the son of former Chelsea star and assistant manager Eddie Newton. He had been living in the luxury resort of Ras Al Khaimah in Dubai after moving to the UAE for work, where he met Martinson.
Essex Coroner’s Court heard that Newton told his wife during a phone call in the early hours that he planned to hike through the desert. She asked him not to take part in the trail.
Ms Brown said: “She [Newton’s wife] knew it would be very hot and it can get to about 40C, and the feeling is higher because it’s in the canyons.”
Cassius Newton, 34, from Poole in Dorset, was found dead alongside his friend in Wadi Naqab, Dubai, on July 18
Father-of-three Aran Martinson, 33, from Essex, was found just metres away from his friend
The coroner added: “He was also out the night before and wouldn’t have had much sleep, and she didn’t think he would have charged his phone enough.”
Martinson had also spoken to his wife on the morning of the “recreational hike”. The court heard a text from her which read: “You must be cooking.”
After receiving no response for five hours, she sent another message: “[You are] actually trying to tip me over the edge I swear.”
Temperatures during the hike are believed to have exceeded 40C (104F). Exposure to the intense heat caused severe increases in body temperature and heat stress, leading to organ failure.
The two men were found lying on their backs and taken to hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, where they were pronounced dead later that day.
Tributes were paid to Newton, including by his former club Blackfield & Langley FC. In a social media post, the club said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Eastleigh Football Club, for whom Newton had previously signed, said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of his death.
Friends and former teammates described Newton as a “top, top player” who was “so young and talented”. Another tribute called his death “absolutely devastating news”.
Cassius Newton was the son of former Chelsea player and assistant manager Eddie (pictured in 1995)
His father, Eddie, made more than 200 appearances for Chelsea after joining the club as a teenager.
He scored Chelsea’s second goal in their 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup Final. Before retiring in 2001, he also played for Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Oxford United and Barnet.
Eddie Newton later worked as an assistant coach under Roberto Di Matteo when Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League in 2012.
Mr Martinson’s wife paid tribute to her ‘funny, kind, loyal, determined’ husband on LinkedIn.
She wrote: ‘He was incredibly driven, hardworking and ambitious, and he took enormous pride in what he did. He had only recently started a new chapter in his career, and I know how excited he was about it.’
