Dad, 41, dies after falling from cliff in Majorca during romantic moment with woman
The dad was on holiday with his daughter for the first time
A 41-year-old Hampshire man who had been drinking on holiday in Majorca died after falling from a cliff during a romantic moment with a woman, an inquest has heard.
Ben Clark died on June 26 last year while on holiday with his daughter for the first time, which he was “really excited” about.
Winchester Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday the pair had become friends with another British woman and her aunt who they socialised around the pool with on their trip.
Area coroner Jason Pegg said on the evidence there was clearly “some attraction” between Mr Clark and the woman, Nicky Foers, and they decided to go for a walk together down to the beach at around 11.30pm that evening.
The coroner said it seems “slightly unclear” what caused Mr Clark to fall from the cliff but believed alcohol probably contributed to him losing his footing.
“All of you, particularly your dad, had consumed alcohol,” Mr Pegg said. “He was not completely staggering around and out of it, but (had been) drinking nonetheless.”
He added: “There came a time on that cliff top where your dad was looking out to sea, Ms Foers looking into land, in close proximity.”
He said it was unclear what happened prior to the fall, but there was a possibility they went to hug each other and lost their balance.
Giving evidence on Tuesday, Ms Foers told the inquest her last memory before the fall was being stood face to face, adding: “I remember seeing my feet, flip-flops coming off and just rolling and rolling and rolling.
“I’m guessing he would have given me a hug and that’s what made me stumble back.”
She said when she came round, as she believed she was unconscious, she thought Mr Clark had not fallen and she had just slipped.
“I didn’t know if he panicked, gone to find help, I didn’t even think he’d fell,” she said.
The coroner recorded Mr Clark’s death as an accident, after he fell down the footpath on to the beach below causing multiple rib fractures, which caused pulmonary haemorrhage – bleeding in the lungs – leading to respiratory failure.
“Ben was intoxicated with alcohol which contributed to death,” he said.
The inquest, which was attended by his family, heard Mr Clark, of Andover, was described as really funny, someone who adored his children and was a much-loved grandson, son, brother and father.