Loving dad died tragically on running holiday in Portugal

Rob McHarry, hailed as ‘a real adventurer’, was found collapsed after falling on a beach path in Albufeira, an inquest at Warrington heard on Thursday.

Paramedics tried to revive the 57-year-old but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.35am on October 20, 2021.

The dad-of-two grew up in Knutsford and later lived at Daniel Close, Birchwood, after bringing up his children in Lymm.

Rob loved running on the hills (Image: Kathryn Morris)

Family and friends say he ‘just loved outside life’.

Heartbroken daughters Kathryn, 23, and Meriel, 20, said: “While it is devastating that dad was taken from us so soon and suddenly, we take a lot of peace in knowing that he was doing what he loved in such a beautiful place.”

Kathryn and Meriel with dad Rob at a concert (Image: Supplied)

A tribute page opened on social media by his family has been inundated with touching messages from runners who share his passion.

Lifelong friend Andy Garnett, 68, from Cuddington, said: “I ran and walked with him for many years and shared family celebrations.

“He was the most unassuming man you would ever meet, thoughtful and generous, a steady friend.

Rob 'just loved outside life' (Image: Kathryn Morris)

“He never made a lot of noise but now he’s gone, the silence will be deafening.

“He just loved outside life, running and walking. He knew the Lake District inside out.”

Andy Garnett, Julian Spencer and Rob McHarry on the Cheshire Ring canal route relay (Image: Andy Garnett)

Rob had been travelling to Falesia on the Algarve annually for more than 20 years to meet up with runners.

The electrical engineer had flown to Portugal on October 16, 2021, with friends from a running club.

Cheshire senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish told the inquest that on the day of his death he went out with friends but ‘had taken a different route on his own’.

“Friends went looking for him,” she told the hearing.

“He was found collapsed on a beach path by a passer-by who contacted local emergency services.”

Mr Marco Santos, from Portuguese police, was alerted about the incident and immediately went to the scene.

Ms Devonish said: “The victim was found lying in a prone position being assisted by emergency crews from Albufeira who were unable to revive him from cardio respiratory arrest.”

An investigation failed to find any witnesses to the incident.

A post mortem examination confirmed the cause of death was traumatic cervical spinal menino-medullary injuries.

In a statement, his GP Dr Patrick Kearns, of Knutsford Medical Partnership, told the inquest Mr McHarry, used an inhaler for asthma and had been prescribed medication to control high blood pressure.

In May 2021, he was admitted to A&E at Macclesfield Hospital and diagnosed with a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or mini stroke.

After taking further medication for cholesterol, routine blood tests were found to be ‘normal’.

Ms Devonish reached a conclusion that Mr McHarry’s death was accidental.

Daughter Kathryn said: “When we were younger he would always take us out walking and we went on many holidays to the family caravan in the Lakes.

Rob with Kathryn and Meriel when they were younger (Image: Kathryn Morris)

“While he was a man of few words, he had a quick wit and was incredibly thoughtful.

“No matter what, dad would always show up for me and Meriel.

“He was a truly dedicated person and we always knew how much he loved us.

“His love of running and being outdoors was really evident to anyone who met dad. He was a real adventurer.

“Dad also often frequented Dexter and Jones gin bar in Knutsford and had many friends there.”

Rob belonged to Spectrum Striders running club, who have renamed the Handicap Race, an annual event, in his honour.

David Garnett and Rob McHarry enjoying a meal at their favourite fish restaurant in Olhos d'Agua (Image: Andy Garnett)

Kathryn said: “We would love to thank this club for helping to keep his memory alive.”

Rob’s mum, Jane, brother John and sister Helen would like to thank everyone for their support.

Helen did the Bike, Boats and Boots challenge, riding 40 miles, a two-mile canoe and 11-mile trek up Skiddaw and raised almost £7,000 for the British Heart Foundation in his memory.

“He was a very quiet, kind man,” added Kathryn.

“He always took us on walks. He cycled, rode and climbed mountains.

“He really enjoyed running. He was so fit and healthy, this was completely out of the blue for all of us, a complete shock.”

Fellow runner Paul Aird said: “Rob came out to Portugal with a group of us for a training week in March most years.

“Whilst there, we put on a 5k race which he ran and then got straight on the computer and sorted the results for the prize giving.

“The holiday in October 2021 was an off-shoot from that group.

“Rob always preferred to run off-road on the trails and hills and that’s what he was doing at the end.

Runners ran the same route in Portugal and laid flowers on the first anniversary of his death (Image: Paul Aird)

“He was a very quiet guy with a wicked sense of humour.

“It took a while to get to know him but when you did you knew you had a friend for life.

“He is and will be sorely missed.”