Malcolm Kitts, 92, died days after becoming trapped in barbed wire during a mountain walk in Wales, an inquest has heard. According to BBC News, Kitts set out from his home in Cwmdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in September on one of his regular daily walks but failed to return. He was discovered on Maerdy mountain the following day with his leg caught in a barbed wire fence and was airlifted to hospital in Cardiff, where he died on October 1 from complications related to his injuries.
Kitts had celebrated his birthday with a family gathering just days before his fatal walk. Described as a "physically active" grandfather despite his advanced age, he had been living with dementia, which coroner Graeme Hughes later identified as a likely "significant contributing factor" to his death. The inquest at Pontypridd Coroners Court revealed the circumstances of how a routine outing ended in tragedy.
How was Kitts discovered?
When Kitts did not return home on 21 September, his family immediately contacted emergency services. A search operation was launched involving mountain rescue teams, and he was located on the mountain the following day. According to the Telegraph, a coroner's officer reported that Kitts was found hypothermic with barbed wire wrapped around his leg. He was airlifted 31 miles (49 kilometres) to hospital in Cardiff by helicopter, but despite medical treatment, he succumbed to his injuries.
What caused his death?
Coroner Hughes concluded that Kitts died "due to the complications of a likely, but unwitnessed fall, or collapse, leading to leg entrapment and the complications of a long lie." The immediate cause of death was recorded as pneumonia and acute renal failure. However, additional medical analysis revealed further complications: Wales Times reported that a hospital consultant attributed his death in part to compartment syndrome caused by leg compression and also noted chronic kidney disease. The combination of these factors, alongside the physical trauma of entrapment and the extended period lying exposed on the mountain, proved fatal.
What role did Kitts' dementia play?
Hughes acknowledged that despite Kitts' "advancing years," he remained "physically active and mobile." However, the coroner noted that "he suffered with dementia which had on previous occasions led to him becoming confused and disorientated." This cognitive condition was identified as a significant factor in the tragedy, as it may have contributed to his becoming lost or disoriented during his walk, leading to the fall that resulted in his entrapment.
How did the search unfold?
Police described Kitts as approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, of small build, with short grey hair and a hunched posture. He was last seen at about 2:40 p.m. on 21 September on a path behind the lakeside near Cwmdare's visitors' centre. The rapid response from mountain rescue teams and the deployment of air ambulance services demonstrated the scale of the search effort, though the challenging terrain and weather conditions hampered initial efforts to locate him quickly.
What did his family say?
Following Kitts' discovery and hospitalisation, his wife Joyce expressed her gratitude to those involved in the rescue and care efforts. She stated:
"I am forever grateful to everyone."Her words acknowledged the work of police, mountain rescue team members, volunteers, air ambulance staff, and hospital personnel who responded to the emergency and attempted to save her husband's life.
What happens next?
The inquest opened on 8 October 2026 before senior coroner Andrew Morse, who adjourned proceedings to a date to be fixed. The final hearing will allow for further examination of the circumstances surrounding Kitts' death and any recommendations that may arise from the inquiry.
Key Facts:
- Malcolm Kitts, 92, became trapped in barbed wire on Maerdy mountain on 21 September after setting out on a daily walk from his home in Cwmdare
- He was found the following day suffering from hypothermia and was airlifted to hospital in Cardiff but died on 1 October
- The coroner concluded he died from complications of a fall or collapse leading to leg entrapment, with immediate causes listed as pneumonia and acute renal failure
- Kitts' dementia was identified as a likely significant contributing factor to the tragedy
- The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed for final determination
