Basingstoke holidaymaker dies in Mullion cliff fall
A holidaymaker has died in a fall from cliffs on the Lizard in Cornwall in front of his wife and children.
The 52-year-old man, from Basingstoke, was walking with his family on the cliffs at Mullion when he fell about 50m (160ft) on Friday evening.
He was airlifted to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro by a rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose, where he was pronounced dead.
His wife and two 12-year-old children were present, police have said.
The Devon and Cornwall force said the death was being treated as accidental. The coroner has been informed.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has warned people to take care on cliff paths.
While it is unknown whether recent wet weather played a part in the man's death, recent heavy rain has made cliff paths slippery.
"There has been a lot of rain in Cornwall over the last week and people need to be very careful when they are out walking," a coastguard watch officer said.
"The rain has made the paths very, very slippery and they can be treacherous."
Martin Leslie, the sector manager of the Lizard coastguard rescue team, which was first on the scene, said the area is popular with walkers and there is a safety fence.
He told BBC News that although there is some seating, the man appeared to have been standing on the wrong side of the fence.
"We understand that he was on the seaward side of the fence when he slipped and fell about 160ft to the base of the cliff," Mr Leslie said.
"Our thoughts and wishes go out to the family. This was a tragic accident that happened in one of the most beautiful spots in Cornwall."