‘Exceptionally Bright’ Student Died on Hike After Phoning Dad for Help

A medical student fell to his death after getting lost during a hike and calling his father for help, according to authorities in Wales.

On May 27, John Aravinth, 20, was found dead at Cwm Glas in North West Wales, senior coroner Kate Robertson reported in a hearing document obtained by PEOPLE.

His cause of death was attributed to acute blood loss and a deep laceration on his scalp, per the record of the hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Aravinth had been hiking with his family on May 26 when his father and sister decided to turn back due to fears of the rainy and windy weather, according to U.K. newspaper The Times and the BBC.

However, Aravinth, who was a confident explorer and experienced hillwalker, decided to continue the trail so he could reach the 3,560-foot summit of Yr Wyddfa (previously known as Mt. Snowdon), the outlets reported.

While the Edinburgh University student is believed to have reached the summit of Wales’s highest peak, officials said at the hearing that he called his father two hours later to explain that he was lost.

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Aravinth then phoned the police twice and was considered to be in a “distressed” state during his last call, per the BBC.

He also reportedly asked for the assistance of mountain rescue while strong winds could be heard in the background, the outlet added.

Police were not able to reach him when they tried to contact him by phone and text messages, the BBC reported.

Robertson told the hearing that after reaching the summit, Aravinth became “disorientated,” per The Times.

“He’s likely taken a fall due to strong winds or loss of footing in treacherous weather conditions,” she told the hearing, according to the outlet.

Aravinth was found by a coastguard helicopter crew after rescue teams had initially suspended their operation overnight because of “beyond atrocious” weather, which consisted of 78mph winds, The Times added.

“John was clearly exceptionally bright. The world will be a poorer place without him by the way he’s been described to me,” Robertson told the hearing, according to The Times.

“I acknowledge the significant efforts made by the mountain rescue team and other emergency services in a very difficult and challenging situation.”

PEOPLE has contacted the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team for comment.