A car veered off the road and fell into the water from a 300ft cliff at Isle of Wight’s Alum Bay, killing two people. Emergency teams including coastguard and firefighters mounted a dramatic rescue operation, while police investigate the tragedy near the Needles Landmark Attraction.
Police are continuing their investigation into a tragic incident on the Isle of Wight, where a car plunged from a 300ft cliff at the popular Alum Bay, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The car veered off the road and fell into the water on Friday evening, while onlookers watched in horror. Authorities from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police confirmed on Saturday that two people lost their lives in this shocking event.
Witnesses report that emergency services arrived swiftly, including the Coastguard, police, firefighters, and ambulance crews, who rushed to the scene shortly after the car’s descent at around 7:21 pm. Eyewitness accounts included the distressing sight of a naked male being rescued from the water, where attempts at resuscitation were made. Dramatic images emerging from the site display the car partially submerged and severely damaged, its roof and bonnet crumpled from the impact. The danger associated with the area is underscored by its proximity to the renowned Needles Landmark Attraction, a popular tourist destination featuring stunning chalk stacks that rise prominently above the coastline.
Earlier reports have shed light on similar incidents in the region. In 2016, a man lost his life after his van careened off Culver Cliffs, with authorities later confirming that his death was not treated as suspicious. Furthermore, a couple tragically died in a separate 2014 accident involving a vehicle that went over a 340ft cliff at Culver Down. This earlier incident also scrutinised driver behaviour prior to the plunge, a practice likely mirrored in the ongoing investigation into the recent collision.
Emergency response to this latest disaster included a coastguard helicopter, with rescue teams winched down to assist at the cliff base. It is noteworthy that the Needles Landmark Attraction was temporarily closed as police and emergency personnel dealt with the aftermath, restricting access to nearby observation areas and coastal attractions.
Despite the ongoing tragedy, the annual Round the Island Race, a prominent yacht race featuring over 1,200 boats and attracting around 10,000 sailors, proceeded as planned the following day, with participating yachts passing the site of the accident. This juxtaposition of the event’s celebratory nature against the stark backdrop of a recent tragedy highlights the complexities surrounding emergency incidents in tourist and coastal settings.
As the police continue their inquiries, further details about the victims and circumstances leading to the incident remain awaited. The substantial commitment of emergency services includes a focus on precise recovery efforts, as well as ensuring safety measures are reassessed along the perilous coastal roads.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14792731/Police-probing-crash-car-plunge-cliff-killing-two.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-19908539 – A man in his 20s, Robert Hayball from Newport, died after his van plunged off Culver Cliffs on the Isle of Wight. The incident occurred around 03:00 BST, with the van ending up in the sea. Despite efforts, the vehicle remained underwater due to tide and weather conditions. Police stated the death was not suspicious and were considering options for recovery. Hayball had been reported missing after leaving his home in the early hours. Emergency services, including coastguards and the RNLI, responded to the scene.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-14565736 – A man and a woman died when their Renault Scenic car went over a 340ft (100m) cliff at Culver Down on the Isle of Wight. The incident occurred on a Wednesday evening, with the vehicle believed to have been travelling at over 30mph (48km/h) when it went over the cliff. Emergency crews recovered the bodies from the upturned car on the beach below. Police are examining the cliff-top road and the couple’s behaviour prior to the incident. The victims were islanders in their 50s and 40s.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-14589776 – A married couple, Paul Charles, 53, and Jacqueline, 48, died when their Renault Scenic car went over a 328ft (100m) cliff at Culver Down on the Isle of Wight. The incident occurred on a Wednesday evening, with the vehicle seen to drive off the edge of the cliffs before crashing onto the beach below. Police investigations are ongoing, focusing on the couple’s behaviour shortly before the car went over the cliff. The car was removed from the bottom of the cliffs by an RAF Chinook helicopter.
- https://www.islandecho.co.uk/cliff-plunge-victim-named/ – Mark Weekes, 42, of Northwood, was named as the victim of a fatal cliff plunge in Niton. His vehicle, a Renault Laguna, went over a 100ft cliff at Old Blackgang Road, landing upside down in a wooded area. Emergency services responded to the scene, but Weekes was pronounced dead at the scene. Friends witnessed the vehicle going over the cliff edge. An inquest was adjourned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
- https://www.islandecho.co.uk/car-plunges-over-culver-cliff-onto-rocks-below/ – A woman in her 40s died after her car went over the edge of Culver Cliff, landing upside down on the rocks below. The incident occurred near Culver Down Road, prompting a large emergency response. The vehicle left the road at Culver Down, careering across the grass and through a fence at the top of the cliff. Emergency services, including the Coastguard, lifeboat, police, paramedics, and firefighters, responded to the scene. The woman’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
- https://www.islandecho.co.uk/rescue-operation-car-goes-cliff-edge/ – A rescue operation was underway at St. Catherine’s Point, Niton, after a car went over the cliff edge. The incident occurred at Old Blackgang Road, with at least one person trapped. The vehicle, a blue Renault Laguna, left the main Niton to Blackgang Road, going off-road near the former Niton Radio Station before plummeting over 100ft to the trees below. Firefighters, coastguards, and police responded to the scene. The body of the deceased, a 40-year-old local man, was recovered from the wreckage.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
3
Notes:
The narrative closely mirrors previous reports of similar incidents on the Isle of Wight, notably the 2011 Culver Down cliff plunge resulting in two fatalities. ([bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/14565736?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of updated data may suggest a higher freshness score, but the recycled nature of the content raises concerns. The report appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a higher freshness score. However, the substantial overlap with earlier reports and the recycling of older material indicate a lower freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
2
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from authorities and witnesses. However, these quotes are identical to those found in earlier reports, indicating potential reuse of content. The lack of new or exclusive quotes further diminishes the originality of the narrative.
Source reliability
Score:
4
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable organisation. However, the recycling of older content and the lack of new information raise questions about the reliability and originality of the report.
Plausability check
Score:
5
Notes:
The report describes a tragic incident on the Isle of Wight, consistent with previous similar events. However, the lack of new details and the recycling of older material suggest that the narrative may not be entirely original.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative closely mirrors previous reports of similar incidents on the Isle of Wight, notably the 2011 Culver Down cliff plunge resulting in two fatalities. ([bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/14565736?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of updated data may suggest a higher freshness score, but the recycled nature of the content raises concerns. The report appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a higher freshness score. However, the substantial overlap with earlier reports and the recycling of older material indicate a lower freshness score. The inclusion of direct quotes identical to those found in earlier reports further diminishes the originality of the narrative. While the Daily Mail is a reputable organisation, the recycling of older content and the lack of new information raise questions about the reliability and originality of the report. The lack of new details and the recycling of older material suggest that the narrative may not be entirely original.
