A MAN has died after getting stuck in the mud for over 24 hours while crossing a boggy field on a country walk.

William Morris Jones, 92, was reported missing on December 28 last year.

A major search was launched for the pensioner on the day but he could not be found.

However, William was later sadly found dead in a waterlogged field in Criccieth, Wales.

An inquest into the retired groundsman’s death today has since uncovered the harrowing facts.

Assistant coroner Sarah Riley confirmed that he was found after he had walked across an “incredibly boggy” field.

She told the inquest how the conditions were “extremely difficult” to pass.

The assistant coroner said William then “appears to have been stuck in the mud whilst crossing the field”.

Ms Riley added: “It was a route he would take often but unfortunately the conditions were extremely difficult to pass.”

A post mortem examination was carried out by a pathologist at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

The provisional cause of death was given as bronchopneumonia and hypothermia, a court heard.

A police inspector officially declared William had died at 6.04pm on December 29 and he was identified by documents.

At the time time he went missing he was wearing brown cord trousers, a blue coat and a flat cap.

William had walking shoes and was carrying a rucksack.

A spokesperson for the NWP Gwynedd South policing team previously said: “The man has now formally been identified as 92-year-old William, who we circulated as missing on December 28th.

“There are thought to be no suspicious circumstances.

“Our deepest condolences remain with William’s family, who have requested for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time.

“Thank you to partner agencies, volunteers and members of the public who assisted in our searches.”

The assistant coroner Ms Riley adjourned the inquest to a later date pending the completion of further investigations.

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