A British father died after falling from a cliff on a walk during a family holiday, an inquest has heard today.
Ben Clark, 41, had been away in Majorca with his daughter for the very first time – a trip he was "really excited" about – when tragedy struck. A coroner was told the pair had struck up a friendship with another British woman and her aunt, whom they had been socialising with around the pool throughout their stay.
Evening walk ends in tragedy
Mr Clark and the British woman, Nicky Foers, decided to take an evening stroll down to the beach at around 11.30pm, but the dad lost his footing and plunged from the cliff. The coroner said it remains "slightly unclear" what caused Mr Clark to tumble from the cliff, but believed alcohol had likely played a role in the fall.
Jason Pegg, area coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, told the court Mr Clark sustained multiple rib fractures, which led to pulmonary haemorrhage – bleeding in the lungs – resulting in respiratory failure.
Inquest hears evidence
Ms Foers was at the inquest at Winchester Coroner's Court today and described Mr Clark's last moments. Giving evidence, she said: "I remember seeing my feet, flip-flops coming off and just rolling and rolling and rolling. I'm guessing he would have given me a hug and that's what made me stumble back."
The court was told there was clearly "some attraction" between the woman and Mr Clark, who was a self-employed carpenter from Andover, Hampshire. Mr Pegg said: "All of you, particularly your dad, had consumed alcohol. He was not completely staggering around and out of it, but (had been) drinking nonetheless. There came a time on that cliff top where your dad was looking out to sea, Ms Foers looking into land, in close proximity."
Accidental death recorded
The coroner said it was uncertain what occurred immediately before the fall, but raised the possibility that the pair may have moved to embrace one another and lost their balance.
Mr Pegg recorded Mr Clark's death as accidental today after hearing the evidence. He told the inquest, attended by Press Association, said: "Ben was intoxicated with alcohol which contributed to death."
The tragedy happened on June 26 last year, by a rocky area in Cala Agulla near to Capdepera. Capdepera is on the east of the Balearic Island, part of Spain, which is a popular tourist destination with Brits.
The inquest, attended by his family, heard Mr Clark was described as really funny, someone who adored his children and was a much-loved grandson, son, brother and father.
