Son of former Chelsea footballer and friend died in 40C heat while hiking in UAE mountains, inquest told

The son of a former Chelsea footballer and his friend died in the United Arab Emirates after going for a hike in a desert valley amid soaring temperatures.The bodies of Cassius Newton, 34, of Poole in Dorset, and 33-year-old Aran Martinson, from Essex, were discovered by rescuers in the 'wholly mountainous region' of Wadi Naqab on July 18. They were both living at the time in the luxury resort of Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, having moved to the UAE for work, their respective inquests heard as they were opened separately in Chelmsford on Thursday.Mr Newton, a non-league footballer, was the son of former Chelsea star and assistant manager Eddie Newton.Essex area coroner Michelle Brown said Mr Newton 'decided to go for a hike with a friend in the morning, about 7am' through a desert valley. 'His wife expressed concerns as she hadn't heard from him, she being in the UK, and reported him missing,' the coroner said.'It appears they had gone on a route that's a recreational route, not needing hiking equipment.'The court heard temperatures would have reached in excess of 40C (104F). 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 'Mr Newton was found by a search team approximately three or four kilometres from the vehicle,' she said.He was 'found lying on his back with rocks surrounding him'.The coroner said he was '350 metres away from his friend'.Both men were taken to hospital in Ras Al Khaimah where their deaths were confirmed later that day.The provisional medical cause of death for both men was recorded as cardiac and respiratory arrest.Severe rising body temperature and heat stress caused by exposure to high temperatures were factors in their deaths.Opening the inquest into Mr Martinson, Ms Brown said he was 'working for a global company and staying in the UAE'.She said he went for a hike at about 7am on July 18 and found by a search team who were deployed 'when his friend was reported missing'.'He was found lying on the left side of the road with rocks surrounding him,' the coroner said.In a post on LinkedIn, Mr Martinson's wife said: '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.'Adding he was her 'best friend', she wrote the father-of-three was 'funny, kind, loyal, determined and someone who could make people laugh wherever he went.' Mr Newton was described as a 'talented' amateur footballer who had played for several teams Eddie Newton, father of Cassius Newton, pictured in 1995 playing for Chelsea FCTributes were also paid to Mr Newton, including from his former club Blackfield & Langley FC, which said in a social media post that 'our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this difficult time'.Eastleigh Football Club, to which he had been previously signed, said it was 'deeply saddened' to learn of his death.Those who knew him described Mr Newton as a 'top, top player' and 'so young and talented'. Another wrote that it was 'absolutely devastating news.' His father, Eddie Newton, made more than 200 appearances for Chelsea FC, having begun as a teenager with the club.He famously scored the second goal in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup Final and played for Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Oxford United, and Barnet before retiring in 2001. Eddie also served as assistant coach under Roberto Di Matteo when Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League in 2012.The coroner adjourned both inquests until a date to be fixed, and said it is likely both will proceed as documentary hearings, with evidence entirely from written materials.