2 people have died after a car they were travelling in plunged around 300ft off a cliff at The Needles on Friday evening, Police have confirmed.
It was at 19:21 that emergency services were alerted to a vehicle having careered off the road directly above Alum Bay – the access road to The Needles Battery and the world famous The Needles landmark.
The grey motor, which had a driver and passenger onboard, crashed into the rocks below and came to rest in the sea, as previously reported by Island Echo.
HM Coastguard immediately scrambled the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Lee-on-Solent and Yarmouth RNLI’s All Weather Lifeboat.
At the same time, Police rushed to the West Wight beauty spot, with several resources from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service also deployed.
Once on scene, a winchman was lowered down from the coastguard helicopter and – with the assistance of volunteer lifeboat crewmen – hauled a male onto the shore, commencing CPR.
With hopes of a survivor, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance landed at Yarmouth where 2 ambulances, a critical care paramedic and Police had relocated awaiting the arrival of a casualty into Yarmouth Harbour.
Tragically, both casualties were pronounced dead at the foot of the cliff.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the double fatality, which has led detectives to an address on Arctic Road in Cowes.
Officers have remained at a property since around 05:30 on Saturday morning, but Police have not yet confirmed whether they are treating the incident as a murder-suicide or otherwise.
Formal identification has yet to take place, but next of kin have been notified. Senior Coroner Caroline Sumeray has also been informed of the fatal incident.
Police have not confirmed the ages or sexes of those involved, or how the individuals are connected.
Officers were present at Alum Bay yesterday morning with access to the beach, an observation tower and the Battery restricted.
The area has since reopened as normal.
This is so very sad . Rest in peace
RIP so very sad, thinking of the poor families left to deal with this awful tragedy X
So sad that two lives were lost in this way. Rest in peace.