A man died after falling 100ft from cliffs at Southerndown beach in what is believed to have been an attempt to rescue his dog. The 25-year-old woman who was with him remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 4pm on Saturday. Police, coastguards, the RNLI, ambulances and firefighters all attended. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
Police confirmed that the couple's dog was also found dead at the base of the cliffs. The pair have not been named, but it is understood they were visitors to the area.
South Wales Police Inspector Esyr Jones described the incident as a 'tragic accident' and said it was not being treated as suspicious. The force is now investigating on behalf of HM Coroner.
Onlookers described the scene as emergency services arrived. John Hicks, who was on the beach, praised the response, including paramedics, ambulances, a lifeboat from Porthcawl, and an air ambulance that landed on the rocky beach.
Hazel Norfolk, who runs a B&B near the cliffs, said the area was in shock. 'We saw the helicopter. It was circling for quite some time,' she said. The next of kin have been informed.
