Tragedy at Culver Down: Woman Dies After Car Plunges Off Cliff
Massive Emergency Response Launched
Just before 8:00 a.m., a major rescue operation kicked off at Culver Down after a car careered off the road near the batteries. The HM Coastguard, Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, police, paramedics, and firefighters all rushed to the scene.
Cliff Rescue Teams On The Scene
Reports suggest the vehicle smashed through a fence atop the cliff before tumbling over the grass. Ventnor and Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Teams, alongside Independent Lifeboat volunteers, sent a cliff rescuer down to the wreck below.
Fatal Outcome Confirmed
A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said today:
“We received a call around 7:30 a.m. about a car heading down the cliff near Culver Down Road. Emergency crews arrived quickly and sadly confirmed a woman in the car had passed away.”
“Her death is not being treated as suspicious.”
The Police Marine Unit has been tasked with recovering the woman’s body from the 300-foot drop and bringing her to the Lifeboat Station.
Next Steps and Ongoing Scene
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and Fire and Rescue teams were on standby but stood down. A file will be prepared for the coroner, with the family already informed.
The car remains at the base of the cliff. Whether it will be salvaged or left is still unclear.
