Shropshire Star

Harry Greaves: Shropshire backpacker 'a rare spirit and shining light', inquest told

The family of a Shropshire backpacker who was found dead after not returning from a solo three-day hike in the Peruvian Andes said their son was a "rare spirit and a shining light", an inquest heard.

Published
Harry Greaves

Emotional tributes were paid to Henry Greaves, known as Harry, at his inquest.

Shropshire coroner John Ellery ruled his death was accidental after hearing his body was found at the bottom of a 40-metre cliff.

Furniture maker Harry, from Bronygarth, near Oswestry, died of severe multiple injuries in the fall. He was found on April 19, 12 days after he was last seen alive when he set out on a mountain hike alone, two days before his 29th birthday.

When Harry didn't return after the three days, his friends were concerned and reported him missing to the Peruvian authorities.

Harry Greaves

An extensive search operation was launched by family and friends, assisted by the Lucie Blackman Trust, on land and by helicopter in a bid to find him.

The search came to an end when Harry's camping equipment was discovered, and he was subsequently found in "rocky, open countryside" after falling 40 metres down a cliff.

Mr Ellery, speaking at the hearing at Shrewsbury's Shirehall, said from looking at pictures of where Harry died, "it was a truly beautiful and isolated area".

During the hearing, Harry's father Simon Greaves read out a touching eulogy about his son, where he described him as an "inspiration" who was truly loved by his family and by others, and that it had only become apparent after his death how loved he was by others.

"He seems to have touched lives wherever he went," he said. "Through hundreds of cards and messages of condolence, it was evident people responded to his friendly, helpful nature, his ability to listen, his thoughtful words, his happy disposition and his booming laugh."

Harry, a furniture maker of Norman Road in Wrexham and previously of Bronygarth, near Oswestry, had flown out to Peru on February 20, where he had travelled to visit friends in the Poisac area, near Cusco.

A post mortem had been carried out in Peru and found that Harry died of severe multiple trauma, and once 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.

Mr Ellery said the date of Harry's death was unclear, and recorded it as happening between April 7 to 10. During the hearing, Harry's mother Sarah Greaves said the family believe he may have died on his birthday on April 9 due to the amount of his food that was found.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Greaves said: "We're glad formal proceedings have concluded but as a family we're finding it difficult to come to terms with our loss."

The family plan a memorial in April, on what would have been Harry's 30th birthday.

Harry had flown to Peru on February 20 and was visiting friends in Pisac, near Coscou.

When he went missing his friends and family, assisted by the Lucie Blackman Trust, launched a search of the area by land and helicopter in a bid to find him.

More than £33,000 was raised to help find the former Rhyn Park School pupil through a crowdfunding appeal.

Harry's family hired two professional mountain rescue guides and 40 local people to aid the search.

A helicopter was also hired by Harry's sister Ellen to search for him for several hours on the Sunday. His mother Sarah and cousin Lucy flew to Peru to help co-ordinate the search along with Harry's friends Ollie Boon and Stefanie Jackson, with whom he had been staying.

Other friends of Harry's from across the world also made efforts to help from thousands of miles away – including one who phoned all the hotels in the area of Peru where the search was taking place.

Harry's father Simon had previously said: "Harry has some absolutely brilliant mates, there is a lot of love for him."

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas also pressed the family's case with the British Embassy to support the search.

Harry made furniture in the Oswestry area for his own company Marcher Furniture and also Wrexham company Silverlining Furniture.

The Pisac area, where Harry died, is popular with tourists and backpackers.

Travel companies advise visitors to stay in groups when venturing into the Peruvian forest or into the mountains.

Friends of Harry said he had wanted to travel alone into the mountains and said he would be back within a couple of days. They raised the alarm when he did not return as planned.

The friends Harry had travelled to meet in Peru split into groups to join the search for him.

It is believed his body was found by one of the professional guides hired by the family.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.