A woman in her 40s has died after her car went over the edge of Culver Cliff earlier today (Saturday), landing upside down on the rocks below.
The incident prompted a large emergency response shortly before 08:00 with HM Coastguard, Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, Police, Paramedics and Firefighters all involved.
It is understood that the vehicle left the road at Culver Down – near the battery – before careering across the grass and through the fence at the top of the cliff.
Ventnor and Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Teams deployed a cliff man to descend to the wreckage below, working alongside volunteers from the Independent Lifeboat.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service responded to Yaverland but were not required.
A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has this lunchtime said:
“We were called at 7.30am to reports that a car had gone over a cliff near Culver Down Road.
Article continues below this advertisement “Emergency services attended the scene and confirmed a woman inside the car had sadly died.
“Her death is not being treated as suspicious”.
Emergency services – including the Police’s Marine Unit – have been working today to retrieve the body from the base of the 300ft cliff, recovering the woman back to the Lifeboat Station.
Her family have been made aware and a file will now be prepared for the coroner.
The car remains in situ at the bottom of the cliff. It’s unknown at this time if it will be recovered, or left to the elements.
RIP to whoever you maybe. Sincerest condolences to family and friends.
Tragic situation for the responders and the family of the lady.
The car should be recovered for forensic examination I feel. If the brakes failed she may have frozen in fear.
If there is any allegation of mechanical failure or third party involvement- the car will be recovered for testing.
It is incredible rare though for a modern car to experience catastrophic brake failure.
Brakes just don’t fail its not 1970..unfortunately seems like …
This is why we need a suicide prevention team if that was the case of her death. RIP Love goes to her family so sad.
There is a number posted up on Culver for people who think they may need help
Signage is hopeless you would not have time to read it if hurtling in a car over a cliff edge.
What is needed is a deep ditch dug all along the edge where any cars may accidently or deliberately be able to go over the cliff edge.
However if someone really does want ‘out’ then that is surely a personal human right
Very hard for family to understand but this for some a way of instant true peace of mind.
RIP
If this is someone taking their own lives, it’s not for peace of mind as it’s not an action of someone acting rationally, it’s someone who needed help, the only situation where a personal human right comes in to play is if it’s someone with a debilitating terminal condition where they might feel their life has lost any quality of living
My heart goes out to you and your family x
Sad morning , rest in piece
So sad to hear this story.Condolences to the family’
I shed tears when I read this, so very sad.
So sad to hear this, if mental health related i understand one can get immediate self referral to island mental health services 01983 522214. There is always help and support x
Trouble is, most of the people either committing suicide or harming themselves are already well known to the mental health services. That phone number is unlikely to be of any use. You could double or triple the amount of call takers or community health workers and nothing would change. The worst thing this country did was to close the asylums. Long term, sometimes permanent residential care is the only cure for many in our community who just can not cope or manage.
Sadly that is an incorrect fact only 25% of persons who die by suicide are known to mental health services. Again not sure what evidence you have that long term institutionalisation is beneficial.
The car remains in situ at the bottom of the cliff. It’s unknown at this time if it will be recovered, or left to the elements
A car that someone died in definitely won’t be left to the elements it will be recovered
Totally agree Ben ,, maybe a chinook helicopter easily lift it
A Chinook may not be the best solution to recover the car because it could be too close to the cliffs, however, it could be recovered by towing it away from the cliffs…
RIP dear xx
Sincere condolences to all family and friends.
Such a tragic event.
Hope all family and friends are getting the support they need .
Sad outcome for all the emergency services involved.
How very sad. This lady is at peace now. A difficult time for family and friends. Magnificent work by all the emergency services involved in this tragic situation.
Condolences to family and friends such a shame to die so young RIP lady xx
Oh my darling , my heart goes out to you and all who knew you.Look down on all of us and guide the ones who ask for help and for those who are unsure where to turn to when they are troubled. God bless x
❤️RIP. So very sad.
really need a cast iron barrier up there this is not the first time this has happened,and as was said earlier a suicide prevention team,so sad hugs to the family left behind xxx
Then they would just do it somewhere else. If somebody wants out bad enough a barrier will not solve the problem it just moves it.
Very sad that someone goes to these lengths of despair. So sorry for her family and thoughts go out to you all. RIP
How terrible to think what her last thoughts were, my love to her and family
Very sad news. I think quite a few cars have gone of culver around that point over the years. More and more people are struggling with mental health issues and not enough support out there unfortunately.
Surely the car must be recovered. I means it seems most likely suicide and/or drink and drugs related but the car itself could have failed (extremely unlikely but gotta check it out).
i Know many people may jump to conclusions, but can we please not assume it was a mental health issue or drink and drug related. I personally know the lady and found reading some of these comments very hard.
many thanks for those who have said their condolences