A man who got stuck at the top of a 290ft chimney died from being hung upside down and getting hypothermia, the opening of an inquest into his death heard.
A complex rescue mission began when emergency services were alerted to a man at the top of Dixon's chimney in Carlisle, Cumbria in the early hours of October 28 this year.
Despite their best efforts, when Robert Philip Longcake - known to family as Phil - was finally brought to the ground around 14 hours later, paramedics confirmed he had died.
A post mortem conducted three weeks ago concluded the 53-year-old's cause of death to be 'hypothermia and cerebral swelling' and 'inverted suspension'.
An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned this morning in Cockermouth by Cumbria area coroner Kirsty Gomersal.
She said: "The details of Mr Longcake's death are that he was found suspended by his ankle on Dixon's chimney, Shaddongate, Carlisle.
"After a lengthy recovery operation, Mr Longcake was sadly declared deceased at the scene."
During the brief hearing it emerged Mr Longcake's body was formally identified by his wife Andrea, who lived with her husband near Carlisle.
No family members were at the inquest, which was adjourned until March 23.
Police were first called to the scene at around 2.20am amid reports that shouts and wailing could be heard from the chimney, which is part of an old cotton factory.
It is believed Mr Longcake used temporary ladders, which had been erected as part of ongoing maintenance work, to climb the chimney.
Rescuers believe his left leg has become trapped between brickwork and a ladder leaving him hanging upside down by his boot.
A coastguard helicopter was drafted in as part of the complex operation but it could not be used due to fears over the back draft blowing him off.
Police officers were initially able to communicate with the man using a drone but became increasingly concerned once he became unresponsive.
Eventually a giant cherry picker arrived from Glasgow, which was used to bring him to the ground.
The fire chief who led the operation said it was the most complex of his 25-year career.
In a tribute released after Mr Longcake's death, his family described him as a "fantastic granddad" who would be "very much missed" by all who knew him.
"Phil had many wonderful and happy times with his family, and these memories will be treasured by his loved ones," they said.
His family said Mr Longcake had been battling with his mental health after "recent disclosures he made about historic trauma he suffered".
