A Birmingham woman died of heat stroke while walking down Mount Snowdon during soaring temperatures, an inquest has heard.
Beauty worker Sophie Goodyer-Bird became unresponsive while descending Wales’s highest peak on 10 July, just days after her 35th birthday.
The UK was in its third heatwave of the summer at the time, with yellow and amber heat health alerts in force for many areas and a high of 35.5C recorded the day before.
As Ms Goodyer-Bird neared the end of her walk down the mountain, which is also known as Yr Wyddfa, she grew increasingly tired, the inquest heard.
She then collapsed and became unresponsive.
Emergency services were called, but she could not be revived.
An inquest into Ms Goodyer-Bird’s death was opened at Caernarfon Coroners’ Court.
Coroner Kate Robertson recorded a provisional cause of death of exertional heat stroke – an increase in core body temperature brought on by intense physical activity.
Symptoms of exertional heat stroke can include a core body temperature of 40C or higher, confusion, irrational behaviour, rapid heart rate, and seizures.
Ms Goodyer-Bird’s death was formally recorded and the inquest adjourned, with a full hearing to take place at a later date.
She leaves behind a 12-year-old son.
Standing at more than 3,000 feet, Yr Wyddfa or Snowdon is climbed by more than 600,000 people each year.
The Eryri National Park Authority warns visitors that the mountain should not be taken lightly, as weather conditions can change rapidly.
It advises walkers to carry sufficient food and drink, particularly during warmer weather.
The July heatwave, which lasted for much of the month, was the UK’s third heatwave of the summer.
On 6 July, the London Fire Brigade reported that it had received 1,251 emergency calls in a 24-hour period – the highest number of calls since July 2025.
The heatwave also saw trains cancelled as the extreme heat forced speed restrictions, and by 11 July, more than eight million households were under hosepipe bans across the country.
The northern half of Wales was declared in drought on 23 July, and the declaration was extended to cover the whole country a week later.
The month was later declared the driest July for England and Wales since records began in 1836.
