The identity of a body found at the foot of Culver Cliff on Saturday has been revealed as that of Geoffrey Edmunds of Ryde.
The 76-year-old, who lived in West Hill Road, is believed to have climbed over a barbed-wire fence near to The Culver Inn pub before stepping over the cliff edge and falling approximately 200ft to his death. A vehicle belonging to the deceased was found in a near by car park.
Emergency services were alerted to the discovery of a body shortly before 16:00 on Saturday afternoon by a group of people enjoying the Summer weather in Sandown Bay aboard a dinghy.
Coastguard Rescue 104 helicopter raced to the scene alongside Hampshire Constabulary’s Marine Policing Unit vessel ‘Commander’ and Bembridge Coastguard Rescue.
A post mortem examination revealed that Geoffrey Norman Edmunds died of multiple injuries.
Officers are very keen to speak to anyone who may have seen Mr Edmunds in the fenced area near the edge of the cliff or anyone with information which can help them establish what happened.
Witnesses or anyone with information is urged to call Hampshire Constabulary on 101, and ask for Newport CID.
An inquest has been opened and adjourned until 7th January 2014.
