Dad-of-two died while on 'trip of a lifetime'

A man died while on a trip of a lifetime to Tanzania, an inquest has concluded. Dad Gerrard Kennedy, 41, was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro when he developed severe altitude sickness.

Gerrard travelled to Tanzania on February 17 last on a trip organised by Adventure Code UK, which runs guided mountain hikes. Gerrard, known as Ged, was described as 'extremely fit and active' and enjoyed running, hiking and trekking.

The 41-year-old, from Vauxhall, had two young children and worked as a ship managed at Cammell Laird Shipyard. He didn't have any known health problems, the Liverpool ECHO reports.

An inquest was held at Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool this week and heard how Gerrard was one of 14 people on the hike. This included the owners of Adventure Code UK Thomas Code and Christopher English, who were friends with Gerrard.

The company had been operating for around two-and-a-half years at the time of Gerrard's death. Both Mr Code and Mr English were called as witnesses at the inquest.

On the expedition, Adventure Code UK employed the services of local trekking company Trekking Tanzania, who would lead the group on the eight-day hike of Mount Kilimanjaro. A guide called Nelson, who was heard to have more than a decade of experience leading expeditions.

All guides on the trip were accredited as 'Wilderness First Responders', an internationally recognised status. Between 40 and 50 people formed the support crew for Nelson, including guides, porters, and chefs.

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak, with the summit rising to 5,895 metres above sea level. The group received nightly medical checks due to the risks of hiking at such high altitudes, with readings being taken on a pulse oxonometer which measures blood