Finding A Dead Body

I thought long & hard about posting this, but thought it may prove useful to somebody one day.

On Sunday I parked at The Cow & Calf, in Ilkley, & headed off for a run over the moors with no particular route in mind. I ended up running to the "Shooting Lodge" on Burley Moor & headed down towards Horncliffe Well, a stretch of The Bradford Millenium Way. it's a great path & you rarely see anybody on it. Halfway down I noticed what I thought to be a dummy laid down with it's legs in a puddle. I couldn't understand why somebody would go to the effort of putting it there.I thought it was some sort of prank. As I got closer, to my absolute horror, I realised it was a dead body. Panic & fear set in but I instantly rang 999. After a few minutes explaining that the man was definitely dead & giving my location & details I waited for the ambulance & police to arrive. Unfortunately there is a house in Burley Woodhead called the Shooting Lodge, which is where the emergency services first went to before ringing me again to ascertain my exact location. It took them well over an hour to finally get to me as they had to leave their vehicles & walk to me & the body. By this time I was shivering uncontrollably from shock & cold. Luckily, long or short run, I always carry a bum bag with my phone, waterproof & gloves, all of which were needed. Anyway, they eventually arrived & walked me back to the ambulance to try & warm me up & check me over (I couldn't stop shaking for about 2 hours). The police then took me home to provide a detailed statement & they even took a Strava printout of my run!

I didn't sleep on Sunday night & was advised to go to the doctor to get checked over for shock & exposure. I spent over an hour on remote moorland with a dead body & am struggling to get the image of the poor man out of my head. The police have said it is "not suspicious" as you would expect up there.

I suppose the reason I'm sharing this is to make people aware that anything can happen out there. Be prepared & always take a phone if you're going somewhere remote.

Holy cow... I'm sorry to hear about that, but relieved to hear you were well kitted out and prepared.

I had something similar, but in no way as serious, which thankfully turned out to have a good ending...

Between xmas and new year I was up in the lakes doing some wainwrights and BG reccies. I had a day between long runs where I met a work colleague who was new to the fells (and not a native of the UK) and was taking him up Skiddaw via the tourist route.

At some point on the steep section of Jenkin Hill (I think t was near the bottom) we passed a gentleman in his 70's. After exchanging pleasantries, he went very stiff, his full weight on his two walking poles, and eventually keeled over. Looking into his eyes was beyond scary, I could see he was still alive but something bad was happening. Unfortunately I know absolutely no first aid, bar putting someone in the recovery position, and my mate had never been up a mountain in his own country, let alone a freezing Skiddaw in December, so it was up to me.

Luckily I had my phone, and called 999 asking for ambulance/mountain rescue. At this point the guy on the floor managed to mumble something which turned out to be "look at my wrist"...

Had had a medical bracelet which basically said he has brain damage which leads to these kind of 'fits', and we should leave him alone and he will recover fully within a few minutes, and any attempt at first aid will make things a lot worse and end up with him requiring prolonged hospital treatment.

I rather embarrassingly had to abort the 999 call, leaving a very confused operator at the other end of the phone. Fortunately the guy recovered enough whilst we were there to speak a little and tell us that it was a regular occurrence, but not enough to stop him enjoying the fells.

I guess the morals are...

* Anything can happen to yourself or someone else in the hills, that can turn an everyday walk/run into something completely different.
* Don't panic.
* As Jez's post, take your phone and kit.

I was well wrapped up with multiple layers and Paramo trousers (it's a long time since I've actually walked, as opposed to running, in the fells, so I was prepared for being cold), and I was a shaking wreck after this incident, due to the shock.

I'm so sorry to hear this Jez. That must of been one of the worse experiences ever. I hope you recover soon. It might be an idea to go and talk to someone as it sounds as if you are still very traumatised. Something like this could affect your mental well being too. xx

i can't imagine how you must be feeling, what an experience. really glad you always take kit with you on a run - i'll start taking more. as RTS said, !it's good to talk". I'm sure you have a great support network so make use of it and continue to get out running.

cheers
Adam

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments. The doctor said whatever you do, talk about it, which I suppose is why I felt I should post my experience on here.

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The doctor said whatever you do, talk about it

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sound advice: it might not seem like it now, but one of these day it will turn into a "...did I tell you about the time I found a dead body..." stories.
Well done and hope you get over the experience soon.

Sorry to hear that Jez. Having done quite a few first aid courses for work,shock and its consequences can have detrimental effects on your health. Living in the shadow of the Kinder estate I can nip out for a run out on the hills at a moment's notice. At the height of summer it's very easy to become blasè about danger on the fells. In winter I always carry an orange survival bag perhaps it should stay in my bag all year round. Your story proves proper kit no matter what the weather conditions are a life saver.

I hope you are fully recovered (mentally) by now, Jez, though I imagine you may still get flashbacks for a while. Probably best to keep off that stretch of path for a while, at least until Winter when it may look a bit different.

I take your point about being properly prepared when one goes out running, but in this instance my lack of a phone would have saved me from the incipient hypothermia. I would have had to run straight home to phone the police, and would have had time to put on warm clothing before going back out with them; although I would probably have spent the time worrying about "did I really see that?" and "what if someone moves it and then I take the police up there on an apparent wild-goose-chase?".

It's good that someone so responsible as you found the body. A lot of people might have just run off in fright. So are you assuming it was a heart attack or something similar?

My concern was maybe a family coming across it, so leaving it wasn't an option, despite being freezing. And the police asked me to keep people away from it until they arrived.

But thanks Anthony, I have recovered & still do have the image ingrained in my head. I have, however, been running down the same path already. The day after in fact. Something I felt I needed to do.

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Originally Posted by noel

It's good that someone so responsible as you found the body. A lot of people might have just run off in fright. So are you assuming it was a heart attack or something similar?

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I'm no coroner, but it looked like a possible heart attack to me. Both fists were tightly clenched & blood on his top teeth. Maybe suggesting he'd bitten down on his lip of tongue?

The police said it's incredible how many people ignore a dead body!!

I've expected this to happen to me for years, and luckily I've managed to avoid it thus far. Take it easy mate, have a few jars and try and forget it. Nothing you could've done, other than what you did.

Wow, hope you're okay mate. I myself have never experienced anything like that & can't imagine the influence it has on you psychologically. I once saw a man lay on the pavement when out on a road run but after calling an ambulance and waiting for it, he was just really, really drunk and unable to stand!

Carrying kit as you said is essential. We do get careless, especially on our training patches that we know so well, but it's always vital to carry extra clothing and a phone, I think.

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Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell

I'm no coroner, but it looked like a possible heart attack to me. Both fists were tightly clenched & blood on his top teeth. Maybe suggesting he'd bitten down on his lip of tongue?

The police said it's incredible how many people ignore a dead body!!

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Really sorry to hear that you've had that awful experience Jez.It is a massive shock when something so unexpected and so tragic crashes into our normal and day-to-day life experiences. It understandably rocks our sense of security in the normality of things. While living in Namibia, I once came across (first at the scene) a car crash on a lonely bush road where the parents of two children where fatally killed and their two children very injured. Fortunately I wasn't alone and we were able to contact the local services eventually. As a psychologist, I can vouch that those experiences you've been having, such as intrusive thoughts and unsettled sleep, are all very natural, healthy and happen to everyone. They're a kind of re-running/processing to try and make sense of something which isn't always easy to make sense of. It is good to talk, but sometimes having to tell and retell the experience can compound the shock. However, the best thing I believe is to also emphasis the positives in 'the story' of what happened and they are there too. Such as: you were really well equipped (phone etc) and probably the best person to have made the discovery (rather than a group of kids DoE etc. or less psychologically resilient person); you did exactly the right thing and the authorities got there; etc. It might even be comforting for the family of the person that you stayed with their kin, and didn't abandon them as the Police told you some people are minded to do. I think your deciding to run the route again the following day was not only courageous but a really positive step for your psychological wellbeing. Good on yer.

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Originally Posted by Mossdog

Really sorry to hear that you've had that awful experience Jez.It is a massive shock when something so unexpected and so tragic crashes into our normal and day-to-day life experiences. It understandably rocks our sense of security in the normality of things. While living in Namibia, I once came across (first at the scene) a car crash on a lonely bush road where the parents of two children where fatally killed and their two children very injured. Fortunately I wasn't alone and we were able to contact the local services eventually. As a psychologist, I can vouch that those experiences you've been having, such as intrusive thoughts and unsettled sleep, are all very natural, healthy and happen to everyone. They're a kind of re-running/processing to try and make sense of something which isn't always easy to make sense of. It is good to talk, but sometimes having to tell and retell the experience can compound the shock. However, the best thing I believe is to also emphasis the positives in 'the story' of what happened and they are there too. Such as: you were really well equipped (phone etc) and probably the best person to have made the discovery (rather than a group of kids DoE etc. or less psychologically resilient person); you did exactly the right thing and the authorities got there; etc. It might even be comforting for the family of the person that you stayed with their kin, and didn't abandon them as the Police told you some people are minded to do. I think your deciding to run the route again the following day was not only courageous but a really positive step for your psychological wellbeing. Good on yer.

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Thanks for your kind words. I'm a pretty positive person naturally, so I'm hoping the feelings of shock & disbelief won't hang around too long! The moors have been such a cathartic place for me over the years so I see this as a minor blip. Incidentally, this week I have also been stung by a wasp & taken a bad fall, shredding my arm. Things come in 3's, so that's me done for a while.

What an awful thing to come across Jez -I can only begin to think how it must gnaw away at you and how terrible the waiting at the scene must have been. Time and running are great healers though, so let's hope it fades quickly.

It happened to a friend of mine as well. In a way his was even more disturbing, as he found a suicide victim hanging from tree on the edge of a golf course. Fortunately he is a resilient person as well.

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Originally Posted by stumpy

What an awful thing to come across Jez -I can only begin to think how it must gnaw away at you and how terrible the waiting at the scene must have been. Time and running are great healers though, so let's hope it fades quickly.

It happened to a friend of mine as well. In a way his was even more disturbing, as he found a suicide victim hanging from tree on the edge of a golf course. Fortunately he is a resilient person as well.

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That must have been a truly awful sight. I can't imagine. I hope he's ok?

I've just got back from another run down the path. 2nd time now. I feel ok, although I do stop for a moment & try to take in what happened. I think it helps.

Good work on getting back out there on the same route - must be the best way to deal with it.

Yes, he's good thanks. It's a few years on now.

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Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell

I thought long & hard about posting this, but thought it may prove useful to somebody one day.

On Sunday I parked at The Cow & Calf, in Ilkley, & headed off for a run over the moors with no particular route in mind. I ended up running to the "Shooting Lodge" on Burley Moor & headed down towards Horncliffe Well, a stretch of The Bradford Millenium Way. it's a great path & you rarely see anybody on it. Halfway down I noticed what I thought to be a dummy laid down with it's legs in a puddle. I couldn't understand why somebody would go to the effort of putting it there.I thought it was some sort of prank. As I got closer, to my absolute horror, I realised it was a dead body. Panic & fear set in but I instantly rang 999. After a few minutes explaining that the man was definitely dead & giving my location & details I waited for the ambulance & police to arrive. Unfortunately there is a house in Burley Woodhead called the Shooting Lodge, which is where the emergency services first went to before ringing me again to ascertain my exact location. It took them well over an hour to finally get to me as they had to leave their vehicles & walk to me & the body. By this time I was shivering uncontrollably from shock & cold. Luckily, long or short run, I always carry a bum bag with my phone, waterproof & gloves, all of which were needed. Anyway, they eventually arrived & walked me back to the ambulance to try & warm me up & check me over (I couldn't stop shaking for about 2 hours). The police then took me home to provide a detailed statement & they even took a Strava printout of my run!

I didn't sleep on Sunday night & was advised to go to the doctor to get checked over for shock & exposure. I spent over an hour on remote moorland with a dead body & am struggling to get the image of the poor man out of my head. The police have said it is "not suspicious" as you would expect up there.

I suppose the reason I'm sharing this is to make people aware that anything can happen out there. Be prepared & always take a phone if you're going somewhere remote.

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I encoutered a dead body out running couple of years ago. I was coming up Shutlingsloe and could see some walkers gathered around a body

They were trying to do CPR on what was clearly a very dead man. I asked if there was anything I could do and they very nonchantly said "no he is dead". An air ambulance arrived and I carried on my run

It was totally bizarre. I had this incident mid run and then I could carry on as normal - still find the whole experience surreal.

Turns out the guy had had a heart attack!

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Originally Posted by luxinterior

I encoutered a dead body out running couple of years ago. I was coming up Shutlingsloe and could see some walkers gathered around a body

They were trying to do CPR on what was clearly a very dead man. I asked if there was anything I could do and they very nonchantly said "no he is dead". An air ambulance arrived and I carried on my run

It was totally bizarre. I had this incident mid run and then I could carry on as normal - still find the whole experience surreal.

Turns out the guy had had a heart attack!

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Surreal is exactly the word I would use. I still can't fully process what happened. My heart still races when I picture it.

'always suspect the joggers (runners) and dog walkers, they're always the ones that find the bodies'

I know of an orienteering mapper who, whilst mapping a forest in S Wales, came across the remains of someone who had hung themselves. They'd been missing for a year, so it wasn't initially obvious they were human remains.

All in all pretty grim and hope it never happens to me. Hope you're recovering well and well done for talking about it, as much to remind us that this could happen as to get it off your chest!

That's why I deliberated about posting. I didn't want to be accused of a "glory" posting or something that might be deemed a bit too macabre. But I discussed it with a friend & thought fell running stories, good & bad, need to be heard. I definitely prefer the good!

You did right posting Jez

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Originally Posted by Jez Hellewell

That's why I deliberated about posting. I didn't want to be accused of a "glory" posting or something that might be deemed a bit too macabre. But I discussed it with a friend & thought fell running stories, good & bad, need to be heard. I definitely prefer the good!

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stop glory hunting, Jez! ever since I told you about the time I happened upon a sparrow with a broken wing you've been trying to top it!

Good post Jez, definitely seek help if only to chat, feel free to give me a call as I've been there too, I found a guy on a tanky reccie years ago, it was reported on the forum so it will be on here some where.

I too can still remember his face but it doesn't bother me now. I've recovered others since but I was looking for them so its not got that shock factor.

Well done for being conscientious and well prepared but a reminder to all. the guy is dead and you aren't so don't put your self at risk..if you were getting cold seek shelter the police will under stand.

secondly until proven otherwise it is a crime scene so avoid moving anything other than to check for Signs of life and create a cordon if possible.

Trav get your self booked on the FRA first aid course!! dead is one thing but had he been unconscious you would need to know what to do.

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

Good post Jez, definitely seek help if only to chat, feel free to give me a call as I've been there too, I found a guy on a tanky reccie years ago, it was reported on the forum so it will be on here some where.

I too can still remember his face but it doesn't bother me now. I've recovered others since but I was looking for them so its not got that shock factor.


Well done for being conscientious and well prepared but a reminder to all. the guy is dead and you aren't so don't put your self at risk..if you were getting cold seek shelter the police will under stand.

secondly until proven otherwise it is a crime scene so avoid moving anything other than to check for Signs of life and create a cordon if possible.

Trav get your self booked on the FRA first aid course!! dead is one thing but had he been unconscious you would need to know what to do.

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Thanks Ian. Leaving the body, unfortunatel, wasn't an option as the police asked me to wait there & keep people away from it. Nobody did pass though as it is fairly remote.

Counselling is a wonderful thing that helps in all sorts of ways.
Worth looking into Jez.