UPDATED: Emergency services including Coastguard Rescue Teams are this afternoon attempting the recovery of a body at the foot of Culver Cliff near Sandown.
It is understood that an unknown person climbed over the barbed wire fencing near to the cliff edge before jumping over 200ft, ultimately to their death.
Coastguard Rescue 104 helicopter raced to the scene alongside Police shortly before 16:00. Unable to safely winch the deceased, the rescue helicopter has since left the scene.
Hampshire Constabulary’s Marine Policing Unit vessel ‘Commander’ is anchored off of the rocks close to the scene, while Bembridge Coastguard Rescue prepare to descend over the cliff edge to the scene below.
UPDATE – Detectives from Hampshire Constabulary have arrived at the top of Culver Down to investigate the incident, which has been confirmed as the death of a currently unknown person.
It is understood the deceased is a male
UPDATE @ 18:45 – Police have this evening confirmed that the body of a male has been discovered at the foot of Culver Cliff. A post mortem examination will be conducted in due course.
Once Police have identified the deceased and notified next-of-kin, a further update will be made available.
Officers are very keen to speak to anyone who may have seen a man in the fenced area near the edge of the cliff today (Saturday) or has any 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.
UPDATE @ 10:10 SUNDAY – Police have this morning (Sunday) confirmed that the body discovered at Culver Cliff yesterday is that of a male aged in his 70s.
A vehicle belonging to the deceased was found in a near by car park.