A MAN died while hill walking in Northumberland during a heat wave last summer, an inquest has heard.

Ivor James Johnston, 61, was found dead in Wark Forest on August 11 2022.

An inquest held into his death at Northumberland Coroner's Court on Wednesday, May 17 heard Mr Johnston, a retired civil servant, was an experienced and well-equipped hill walker.

Following concern for his welfare when he did not arrive at his booked accommodation, a mountain rescue search was activated. They sadly found Mr Johnston's body in an area of Wark Forest, just off the Pennine Way.

Coroner Andrew Hetherington concluded Mr Johnston, who was from Northern Ireland, died as a result of the effects of strenuous exercise during exceptionally warm weather and dehydration while hill walking.

His medical cause of death was recorded as rhabdomyolysis and dehydration.