Dr Michael Mosley's final walk was 'recipe for disaster' says expert

A post-mortem examination report on Dr. Michael Mosley, released on Monday, confirmed that the popular TV doctor died of natural causes. However, a physiotherapist has said that the circumstances surrounding his death were consistent with heat exhaustion.

Dr. Mosley was found dead on Sunday following an extensive four-day search involving police, firefighters, divers and a helicopter. The alarm was raised by his wife when he failed to return from a walk at Agios Nikolaos beach on the Greek island of Symi.

The post-mortem examination revealed that the 67 year old father of four passed away around 16:00 on Wednesday due to natural causes, as no initial injuries were detected. Additional toxicology and histology reports have also been requested.

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Chris Byrne, a senior lecturer in sports and health sciences at Exeter University, told the Daily Express that "the tragic story of Michael Mosley illustrates the rare but potentially lethal effect of combining physical activity in high environmental heat." However, he also highlighted several unique factors in Dr. Mosley's case that created a "recipe for disaster.", reports the Express.

Byrne pointed out that Dr Mosley's older age increased his risk of heat exhaustion, as our ability to regulate body temperature decreases with age. Furthermore, he noted that the doctor was exposed to "extreme" weather conditions, adding that if a sporting event had been scheduled under similar conditions, it would have been cancelled due to the "high risk" of heat-related issues.

Additionally, Dr Mosley found himself in challenging environmental conditions, with the terrain being both rocky and hilly. These elements all played a part in increasing his body temperature without any means to cool down. Compounding the issue, Dr Mosley was without immediate access to shade or water, leaving him with no way to reduce his body heat. Such situations, Mr Byrne points out, can lead to potentially fatal heat stroke.

"[It was] not a good situation what was happening," Byrne remarked on Mosley's demise. "You wouldn't recommend someone walking in 35 degree [C] heat with no water at an advanced age with no access to shade, walking over uphill rugged terrain and not knowing the end point," Mr Byrne added, labelling it as "really a recipe for disaster."

"We don't know what went on exactly but looking at the details [reported in the press] I would say it fits the bill for exertional heat illness. ... Walking for three hours in that sort of environmental condition is not advisable."

Mr Byrne concluded: "It looks like he made some mistakes, took some wrong turns, ended up on rugged terrain, walking uphill, couldn't seek shade, no access to fluid, and it's just real tragic circumstances."

"You wouldn't recommend someone walking in 35 degree [C] heat with no water at an advanced age with no access to shade, walking over uphill rugged terrain and not knowing the end point," Mr Byrne said. "[It] is really a recipe for disaster.

"We don't know what went on exactly but looking at the details [reported in the press] I would say it fits the bill for exertional heat illness. ... Walking for three hours in that sort of environmental condition is not advisable. It looks like he made some mistakes, took some wrong turns, ended up on rugged terrain, walking uphill, couldn't seek shade, no access to fluid, and it's just real tragic circumstances."