A FOOTBALLER sent his dad a haunting last selfie three days before he was found dead after a hiking accident.

       Kieran Halliwell, 35, WhatsApped dad Robert the photo from the top of a mountain while holidaying in Ireland on August 12.

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       Kieran Halliwell sent a haunting last selfie to his dad three days before he was found dead following a hiking accident Credit: BPM 2

       Kieran had played for Atheron Town F.Ci, with the football club paying tribute to Credit: BPM

       Kieran, from near Wigan, Greater Manchester, is seen pointing to a mound of stones surrounded by cloud or fog on Mweelrea Mountain, County Mayo.

       His body was found three days later after a desperate search to trace him.

       Kieran's heartbroken sister Bernadette Halliwell said they had feared for his safety as soon as they saw the photo.

       Bernadette, 30, told Manchester Evening News: "My dad was petrified because it was very misty.

       'PETRIFIED'

       “He worked for GMP for nearly 40 years so he is well aware of dangerous situations. It’s the first thing he would have noticed.

       “My dad contacted my sister and asked her to keep messaging Kieran. He said he didn’t feel comfortable that he was on the mountain and wanted to keep checking he was okay.”

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       Robert's mum Mary and Robert arrived back in Manchester from Ireland on the day he went missing.

       But they realised something was wrong when he stopped responding to their messages.

       A relative in Ireland checked and saw Kieran's car was still where he had parked it.

       His parents headed straight back to Ireland as the hunt for their son continued.

       It was 2am when they finished their searches on the pitch-black mountain. They found him on Wednesday afternoon

       Kieran Halliwell

       Bernadette said: "They had the search parties out by that time and were out all hours of the night.

       "It was 2am when they finished their searches on the pitch-black mountain. They found him on Wednesday afternoon.”

       Manchester United fan Kieran, who played for Atherton Town F.C and taught at New Park School in Eccles, was an experienced climber, but had never hiked up Mweelrea Mountain before.

       A cousin had been meant to join Kieran, but a change of plan meant he went on the hike alone.

       'HEARTBREAKING'

       Kieran's family believe he accidentally lost his footing and fell before he died.

       Bernadette said: "My mum and dad haven’t slept. It’s heartbreaking.

       "I just couldn’t believe it – I had just spent that time in Ireland with him.

       "He made sure we all had such a good time. He took us out for a meal and we spent time at the beach.

       “We went swimming and jumped in the sea. That was my last day with him.We can’t believe it. It hasn’t sunk in.”

       FUNDRAISER

       Kieran, who didn't have a wife or children, volunteered at Manchester Children’s Hospital following the 2017 arena bombing to teach bedbound victims.

       He also tutored terminally ill children, refusing to take money from their parents.

       Atherton Town F.C, hailed Kieran as a "light in this world" who "made an impression on everyone he met".

       A fundraiser has been set up for Mayo Mountain Rescue, the team that helped find Kieran’s body.

       To donate please visit the link here.