Harry Greaves: Shropshire backpacker in Peru died of severe multiple injuries, inquest told
Tragic Shropshire backpacker Harry Greaves died of severe multiple injuries in the Peruvian Andes, an inquest heard.
The injuries were discovered during post mortems carried out in Peru after Harry's body was found at the bottom of a 40-metre cliff on April 19 and also at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after his body was repatriated back to the UK.
The details were disclosed yesterday at Harry's inquest at Shirehall in Shrewsbury, where proceedings were opened and adjourned.
Mr John Ellery, coroner for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, heard that Harry was last seen alive on April 7 when he set out on a mountain hike, two days before his 29th birthday.
The hearing was told Harry, of Norman Road in Wrexham and previously of Bronygarth, near Oswestry, had flown to Peru on February 20.
He had travelled to visit friends in the Poisac area, near Coscou.
Harry, who made furniture in the Oswestry area for his own company Marcher Furniture, was last seen getting into a taxi after telling friends he wanted to explore.
Kerry Ann Badham, coroner's officer, said that he had set off alone on a three-day mountain trek. When he failed to return his friends became concerned and a major search of the area was launched.
Locals, police and groups of friends scoured the area.
"A tent was found and then his body was found at the bottom of a 40-metre cliff in the Andes mountain range," said Ms Badham.
A post mortem was carried out in Peru and found that Mr Greaves died of severe multiple trauma.
When his body was repatriated to the UK, a further post mortem was carried out at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital recording that he died of multiple injuries.
His body was found just three hours walk from the village where he had been staying.
Harry's mother, Sarah, and cousin, Lucy, flew to Peru when he was reported missing. An appeal was made for donations to aid the search for Harry and more than £33,000 was raised by wellwishers in the space of days.
His mother identified her son's body while in the South American country.
The inquest was adjourned to July 26 and will be heard at Shrewsbury's Shirehall.
